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Bushbuck

Scientific name: Tragelaphus scriptus
Common name: Bushbuck
Afrikaans: Bosbok
Setswana: Serolo

Description

The bushbuck is a widespread species of antelope in Sub-Saharan Africa. These animals have a light brown coat, with up to seven white stripes and white splotches on the sides. The white patches are usually geometrically shaped and on the most mobile parts of their body such as the ears, chin, tail, legs, and neck. The muzzle is also white and horns are found only on the males.

Habitat

Bushbuck are the only not territorial and solitary animals. The mature males usually go out of their way to stay away from each other. They live within a “home” area, which is usually around 50,000 square meters on the savannah and much larger in the forest, which they do not normally leave. These areas usually overlap other bushbuck home areas. These antelopes are usually most active during the early morning and part of the night but tend to be nocturnal near human habitations. They spend their day feeding, standing and moving about. When threatened bushbuck will lie flat on the ground, or may run away producing a series of hoarse barks. When feeling the danger in the open area, they may stand still or slowly walk to the nearest cover.

Diet

Bushbuck are herbivorous (folivorous) animals. They eat different herbs and the leaves, twigs, and flowers of various plant species. On rare occasions, they will also eat fresh grass.

Behaviour

Active in the evenings, at night and in the early mornings. Rest during the day in the densest cover. Associate with baboons and monkeys to feed on fruits and leaves dropped from the trees. Social organisation probably varies with locality and details of habitat; usually both sexes are solitary and live in overlapping home ranges, with a dominance hierarchy among an area’s residents. Small groups of either or both sexes may form. Males detect when a female is on heat from the smell of her urine and genitals; dominant males monopolise access to females in oestrus. Not very fast runners; avoid predators by hiding. Take readily to water and swim strongly.

Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of bushbuck is around 1,340,000 individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.

References

  • Peter Apps, Mammals of Southern Africa, A Field Guide (2012) Page 251-253
  • Madelein J Grundlingh, Africa’s Mammals, Discovering 101 Species (2010) Page 106-107
  • https://animalia.bio/bushbuck