Often seen only for a few seconds or as a fleeting glimpse as they dart off into the distance. The tiny Steenbok uses a wise defence technique to avoid being caught. Immediately freezing as soon as it senses a threat, holding dead still until the last second before dashing off quicker than you can imagine, pausing momentarily to glance back to see if they are being persued and then dashing off again to safety. It is because of this light-footedness that not many people know too much about this little animal, so here is just a brief glimpse into the secret life of a steenbok.
The name Steenbok originates from the Afrikaans word ‘steen’ which means stone, this is because of the reddish-brown colouring of the small shy animal. And ‘bok’ when directly translated from Afrikaans is ’buck’ which is what we here in South Africa refer to as an antelope or deer of either sex.
As one can imagine with the tiny size of the mother, the newborn steenbok weighs just 900 grams (1.9 pounds) and can stand up within five minutes of birth. Being born into a world full of hungry predators, something this small would be incredibly vulnerable, which they are. For the first three months of their lives, they are kept hidden in thicker vegetation while the mother goes out to feed, returning daily to groom and nurse the lamb. Should there be any disturbance around its hiding place it will lie flat with its ears pinned back and head on the ground and remain as still as possible. It is for this reason that it is very rare to see a steenbok lamb.
A young male with its horns just starting to grow. Males will mature at 8.5 months and females at 6 months, often having their first lamb at one year of age.
Eventually around the three-month mark, the lamb would have been weaned and will start to move around with its mother, to browse on leaves, flowers, fruits, berries, seeds and even dig for bulbs, because they get most of their moisture from the food they eat, they are not dependent on water and will only drink if they happen to come across water.
A male steenbok digging for bulbs.
Although it is very seldom that you see them together, they are thought to be monogamous, forming life-long bonds and hold territories together. Males will mark their territories using the preorbital glands on their faces as well as glands between their hooves. In order to communicate with each other, both males and females will use latrines, where they scrape a hole in the ground, urinate and defecate in it then cover it with soil, also thought to be a way of marking their territories.
A pair of Steenbok
So in hardly ever finding two steenboks together, this plays to their advantage in avoiding being detected by danger, if they are by themselves they are able to freeze and bolt when needed without being caught. In fact, I am sure it does happen but I don’t think I can ever recall a case where a ranger has found a leopard having caught, killed and hoisted a Steenbok, highlighting just how well their strategy can work. So next time you are in the grasslands of Londolozi or driving along one of the open crests keep a look out for this secretive little animal.
Tayla these little Steenbok are so beautiful and very shy. I have seen a baby Steenbok suckling on it’s mom in the Kruger one year while on vacation there. I nearly missed it, if I had not looked back after driving past at first. The colour of their skin is beautiful and their ears are big with markings inside them , as your foto shows. They usually run away once they have even exposed. Good story thanks Tayla. Happy New Year to you.
Thank you Tayla for this great article about the Steenbok. They seem to be even more elusive than leopards. I’ve seen one a couple of times and am always thrilled for the sighting. They are such an elegant little antelope.
In don’t think I have ever seen a Steenbok, not even around the Londolozi camp. They are so small I am very glad they are so clever at hiding and being self sufficient. Thank you Victoria
I love the little steenbok! Does it not have a tail to keep its profile low? Thanks for a little insight into their world!
How lovely! Exquisite little creatures. Is their name dick dick as well? I remember studying their monogamic behaviour among others as far as monogamy, polygamy etc are concerned. Very interesting, I’d love to know more about them
They are such a cute little antelope. I appreciate when I get to read about and see photos of some of less featured animals, so thanks Tayla! Aardwolf, dik-dik, golden wolf?
They are really beautiful and I love those ears! So big and the inside is nicely striped.
Thanks, Twyla, for the interesting article on these cute little animals. I love them.
Such graceful little bok. When I was young we used to see them briefly when riding around Legogote “.the sound of the horses would scare them but for a moment we would stare each other out and then they would be gone. Lovely to learn a bit more about them as never really read up much about them in the past. Thanks Tayla.🙏🏻❤️
Hello Tayla, Very interesting blog! Thank you for sharing!
very nice description! thanks!
In fact, I am sure it does happen but I don’t think I can ever recall a case where a ranger has found a leopard having caught, killed and hoisted a Steenbok, highlighting just how well their strategy can work.
Well, Tayla, I guess all rules are meant to be broken and this one broke last week, would you agree? Tragically for the Springbok, the leopard certainly won the day. Unfortunately, my photo will not attach to this comment but I am happy to share anytime.