The klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus) is a small antelope that stands about 600 mm at the shoulder and weighs about 13 kg. It is restricted to mountainous areas and koppies, and when threatened it escapes up rock faces to stay out of reach. In the Kruger National Park, the best chance of seeing one is near rocky, hilly areas.
Name
Klipspringer [Oreotragus oreotragus]
Appearance
The Klipspringer is a small antelope that stands about 600mm at the shoulders and weighs about 13kg. The Ewe is a bit larger than the ram. Only the rams have a set of horns that are rounded at the base. They have rounded ears that are found a bit further back than usual. There are black marks in the ears. They have coarse hairs that can make their coats yellowish, grey, brown or red. They have a white chin, nose and under side.
Diet
Klipspringers are very selective browsers that only feed on flowers, shrubs, fruits and shoots. Klipspringers very rarely ever eat grass and aren’t dependent on water.
Breeding
Klipspringers have a gestation period of 6 months. After a year, the young are expelled from the group as they have reached maturity by then.
Behaviour
Rams and Ewes form a life long bond with each other and will find a territory that they will defend permanently. Up to eight klipspringers can be found in a group, which is usually a family group.
Habitat
Klipspringers live in a restricted habitat in the form of mountainous areas and koppies. They are very nimble animals that are well at home in these areas. When threatened, they can escape up the unscalable walls and rock faces to stay out of reach of their threats. You will have a good chance of spotting these tiny antelope when you are near rocky, hill areas while you are on a Kruger Park Private Safari.
Locations
Klipspringers are distributed all over South Africa. In areas like Zoutpansberg, Orange River and some areas of the Western Cape. They are strangely less common in the Drakensberg mountains.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do klipspringers eat?
Klipspringers are very selective browsers that feed only on flowers, shrubs, fruits and shoots. They very rarely eat grass and are not dependent on water.
Do klipspringers mate for life?
Yes. Klipspringer rams and ewes form a lifelong bond and find a territory that they defend permanently. Groups of up to eight klipspringers can be found, usually made up of family groups.
Do female klipspringers have horns?
No. Only klipspringer rams carry a set of horns, which are rounded at the base. Ewes have no horns but are a bit larger than the rams.
How long is a klipspringer pregnant?
Klipspringers have a gestation period of 6 months. After a year the young have reached maturity, and at that point they are expelled from the group.
Where are klipspringers found in South Africa?
Klipspringers are distributed all over South Africa, in areas such as the Zoutpansberg, the Orange River and parts of the Western Cape, though they are strangely less common in the Drakensberg mountains.
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