Blesbok

Afrikaans name: Blesbok

Blesbok with two juveniles

Photo © Steven Herbert

Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi

Interesting facts about Blesbok

The Blesbok gets its name from the Afrikaans word 'bles' which means blaze. This relates to the white face of this antelope.

The Blesbok is very similar to the Bontebok and they are in fact close related.

Blesbok are most often seen in areas of open grassland.

Male and females are very similar in looks although males are slightly bigger. A male Blesbok can weigh up to 70 kg and stands about 90 cm at the shoulder.

Being a mid-sized antelope they are prone to predation by a number of species including Lions, Leopards, Wild Dog, Spotted Hyena and Cheetah.

The preferred diet of the Blesbok is short grass.

Photo © nomisg - Fotolia.com

Above - A young Blesbok feeling frisky

Photo © Steven Herbert

Above - Blesbok seem to have a habit of dozing during the heat of summer days. They either lay in the grass or stand with their heads down and take a nap.

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 234

Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 150

Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 131

What Antelope is That? - Author: Paul Rose - Published: 1967 - Page: 53

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 332

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 332

The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 70

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 55

South African Animals in the Wild - Author: Anthony Bannister - Published: 1985 - Page: 29

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1996 - Page: 160

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1986 - Page: 175

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 1987 - Page: 95

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Published: 1980 - Page: 128

Maberlys Mammals of Southern Africa - Revised edition - Author: Richard Goss - Published: 1986 - Page: 247

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Published: 1986 - Page: 163

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

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1997 - Page: 154

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2001 - Page: 208

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 164

An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Published: 1987 - Page: 219

Chris and Tilde Stuarts Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edit - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 208

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Published: 1999 - Page: 60

A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 87

A Field Guide to the Mammals of Africa including Madagascar - Author: Theodor Haltenorth and Helmut Diller - Published: 1980 - Page: 79

Britannica

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List of South African Mammals