Klipspringer

Afrikaans name: Klipspringer or Klipbokkie

A Klipspringer in Kruger National Park

Photo © Steven Herbert

Oreotragus oreotragus

Interesting facts about Klipsringer

In English, I suppose that this antelope would be called a Rock Jumper, but everyone calls it by its Afrikaans name Klipspringer.

The Klipspringer has a wide distribution across the western, northern and north-eastern regions of South Africa.

They weigh around 10 to 13 kg and stand around 50 to 60 cm high at the shoulder. Females are a bit larger than males. Their fur is very coarse.

Their hooves are specially adapted for their life on rocky outcrops. They have an amazing ability to run over and jump across rocks without losing their footing.

Klipspringers pair for life and are rarely seen in herds. They get their water requirements from the succulent plants that they eat.

They are preyed upon by Leopards, Caracals and some of the larger eagles. Klipspringers live to a maximum age of 14 years.

References and further reading

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 25

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 236

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 24

Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 157

What Antelope is That? - Author: Paul Rose - Published: 1967 - Page: 71

Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 112

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 334

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 74

The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 50

South African Animals in the Wild - Author: Anthony Bannister - Published: 1985 - Page: 48

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1996 - Page: 153

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1986 - Page: 169

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 12

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Published: 1980 - Page: 104

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 1987 - Page: 107

Maberlys Mammals of Southern Africa - Revised edition - Author: Richard Goss - Published: 1986 - Page: 264

Kruger National Park Questions and Answers - Author: P.F. Fourie - Published: 1987 - Page: 110

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Published: 1986 - Page: 172

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 416

Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 52

First Field Guide to Animal Tracks of Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2003 - Page: 49

Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Published: 1987 - Page: 120

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2001 - Page: 214

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 260

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 167

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1997 - Page: 192

Chris and Tilde Stuarts Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edit - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 214

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 24

An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Published: 1987 - Page: 238

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Published: 1999 - Page: 88

A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 94

A Field Guide to the Mammals of Africa including Madagascar - Author: Theodor Haltenorth and Helmut Diller - Published: 1980 - Page: 56

Britannica

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List of South African Mammals