Steenbok

Afrikaans name: Steenbok

Female Steenbok

Photo © Steven Herbert

Raphicerus campestris

Interesting facts about Steenbok

The Steenbok is an attractive small antelope which stands about 50 cm high at the shoulder. Occasionally they are referred to as either Steinbok or Steinbuck.

They are a very neat looking animal with a fawn coloured coat and white underparts. They resemble the much larger Oribi. Only the male Steenbok has horns.

Although Steenbok can be found in a wide variety of habitats they do tend to favour those with grassy areas interspersed with trees and bushes.

Their main diet is leaves although they do sometimes dig up roots and tubers. Occasionally they will eat fruit but they only eat grass on rare occasions. They do not drink from water sources as they get their moisture requirements from the food they eat.

Steenbok may be seen singly or in pairs. Females give birth to one fawn at a time but may breed twice a year.

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: 238

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

Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 161

What Antelope is That? - Author: Paul Rose - Published: 1967 - Page: 37

Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 110

The Natal Bushveld - Volume 2 - Author: Natal Parks Board - Published: 1981 - Page: 41

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

The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 54

The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 110

The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 85

The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 64

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 71

South African Animals in the Wild - Author: Anthony Bannister - Published: 1985 - Page: 50

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1996 - Page: 158

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1986 - Page: 173

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Published: 1980 - Page: 94

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 3

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 1987 - Page: 113

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Published: 1986 - Page: 176

Maberlys Mammals of Southern Africa - Revised edition - Author: Richard Goss - Published: 1986 - Page: 272

Kruger National Park Questions and Answers - Author: P.F. Fourie - Published: 1987 - Page: 103

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 415

Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 50

First Field Guide to Animal Tracks of Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2003 - Page: 48

Field Guide to the West Coast - Author: H. Marshall and B. Mommsen - Published: 1994 - Page: 118

Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Published: 1987 - Page: 122

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2001 - Page: 216

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1997 - Page: 188

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 262

Chris and Tilde Stuarts Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edit - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 216

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 26

An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Published: 1987 - Page: 244

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: 93

A Field Guide to the Mammals of Africa including Madagascar - Author: Theodor Haltenorth and Helmut Diller - Published: 1980 - Page: 52

A Field Guide to the Eastern Cape Coast - Author: R. Lubke, F. Gess & M. Bruton - Published: 1988 - Page: 294

SANBI

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List of South African Mammals