A springbok is a medium-sized antelope found mainly in south and southwest Africa. It is the sole member of the genus Antidorcas and is characterized by its slender, long-legged body, reaching 71 to 86 cm (28 to 34 in) at the shoulder and weighing between 27 and 42 kg (60 and 93 lb) . The springbok has a reddish-brown coat that turns to a darker shade and then to white on the lower third of its body, and a white backside. It has a white face with dark stripes from the mouth to the eyes. Both male and female springboks have a pair of short horns on top of the head which are more slender in females.
Springboks inhabit the dry areas of south and southwestern Africa, mainly in the countries of Namibia, Botswana, Angola, and the Republic of South Africa. They are herbivores and feed exclusively on grasses, flowers, and other plant matter. They have a complex, multi-chambered stomach to break down tough plant material in their diet. Springboks are selective feeders, whose diet comprises the best fodder available at any given time. They browse in the dry season and predominantly graze after the rainy season when grasses spout green.
Springboks are known for their behavior called pronking, which is a stiff-legged leap that helps to distract predators as they escape them. They appear to have some kind of social hierarchy that revolves around large herds which travel together for protection and mating purposes. These herds typically consist of several females, their youngest offspring, and maybe a few dominant males. The remaining males are usually too young or too old to maintain a dominant status, and so they’re relegated to all-male groups, which wander together in search of mates.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources classifies the springbok as a least concern species, and no major threats to the long-term survival of the species are known. They are popular game animals and are valued for their meat and skin. The springbok is the national animal of South Africa and is a common feature in most of South Africas national, provincial, and private reserves.
