Mammals
Steenbok
Raphicerus campestris · also called steenboks
Carefully burying its own dung and rarely needing so much as a sip of water, a steenbok survives across open savanna through quiet habits rather than size or speed, freezing in place until the very last moment before it bolts.
Overview
The steenbok, Raphicerus campestris, is a small, solitary antelope native to open savanna and grassland habitat across southern and East Africa. Its near-total independence from drinking water, dung-burying behaviour, and strictly solitary lifestyle make it one of the more understated small antelope species found across the region.
Small habits, big survival advantage
Every one of the steenbok’s quiet habits, from burying its dung to freezing rather than fleeing, works toward the same goal: staying invisible to predators in open country that offers very little natural cover.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and stable across suitable savanna and grassland habitat throughout southern and East Africa.
Steenbok: common questions
Does the steenbok need to drink water?
Almost never, this species can survive largely without drinking free water, obtaining nearly all the moisture it needs from the leaves, fruit, and roots it eats.
Why does the steenbok bury its own dung?
This species buries its own dung using a scraping motion with its front hooves, a behaviour thought to help avoid drawing the attention of predators to its presence and territory.
Does the steenbok live in groups?
No, this species is strictly solitary for most of the year, only pairing briefly with a mate during the breeding season before separating again.
Do female steenbok have horns?
No, this species has short, straight horns present only on males, angled slightly forward and rarely growing beyond about twenty centimetres.