Animal Profiles
Mammals

Springbok

Antidorcas marsupialis

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The springbok is a slender antelope of dry southern African country. Its name recalls the stiff-legged leaps it performs when excited or alarmed.

Antidorcas marsupialis (springbok)

Giles Laurent · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Habitat
Savanna, Grassland
Diet
Herbivore
Food
Grasses and browse.

Classification

Common name
Springbok
Browse group
Mammals
Scientific name or taxon
Antidorcas marsupialis
Taxon rank
species
Order
Artiodactyla
Family
Bovidae
Genus
Antidorcas
Source classification
Mammalia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Its stiff-legged leaps are called pronking.
  • A skin fold conceals white back hair.
  • It switches between grazing and browsing.

Habitat and range

Springbok occur in southern and southwestern Africa, including Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. Open dry grassland and treeless savanna provide feeding grounds and long views of approaching danger.

Appearance and adaptations

A reddish-brown back contrasts with white underparts and a dark flank stripe. A fold of skin along the back can open to reveal a conspicuous white patch.

Diet and behaviour

Grass and browse are used in different seasons, with moist plant parts helping during dry periods. Females often gather with young, while male groupings and territorial behaviour change with the breeding season.

Sources

Explore mammals

Browse all mammals