Bushbuck

Afrikaans name: Bosbok

Female Bushbuck in Letaba Camp

Photo © Steven Herbert

Tragelaphus sylvaticus

Interesting facts about Bushbuck

The Bushbuck is a fairly common, but often rather shy, antelope. It is found in a number of different habitats including forest, riverine forest and woodland.

Although in most places Bushbuck are quite shy, and will bolt at the first sign of humans, it can be quite tame. In Kruger National Park there are some camps and picnic sites where the Bushbuck wander amongst the tourists.

Bushbuck stand about 90 cm in height at the shoulder and weigh up to 80 kg.

Male Bushbuck have a chocolate brown coat and have horns. Females are more of a rufous-brown colour and do not have horns.

Bushbuck are browsers and eat a wide variety of plants. They are normally seen singly and do not form herds.

Wounded male Bushbuck have a reputation for being very aggressive towards hunters.

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 224

Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 178

What Antelope is That? - Author: Paul Rose - Published: 1967 - Page: 11

Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 122

The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 22

The Natal Bushveld - Volume 2 - Author: Natal Parks Board - Published: 1981 - Page: 37

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 330

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 60

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1986 - Page: 209

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1996 - Page: 192

South African Animals in the Wild - Author: Anthony Bannister - Published: 1985 - Page: 40

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 15

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Published: 1980 - Page: 136

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 1987 - Page: 141

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Published: 1986 - Page: 196

Maberly s Mammals of Southern Africa - Revised edition - Author: Richard Goss - Published: 1986 - Page: 317

KwaZulu-Natal - A celebration of biodiversity - Author: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife - Published: 2002 - Page: 122

Kruger National Park Questions and Answers - Author: P.F. Fourie - Published: 1987 - Page: 122

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

Getaway Guide to the Kruger National Park - Author: Cameron Ewart-Smith - Published: 2005 - Page: 199

Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Published: 1987 - Page: 137

Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 47

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1997 - Page: 124

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2001 - Page: 190

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 258

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 169

Chris and Tilde Stuart s Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Ed - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 190

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Published: 1999 - Page: 64

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 16

A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 84

A Field Guide to the Eastern Cape Coast - Author: R. Lubke, F. Gess & M. Bruton - Published: 1988 - Page: 295

A Field Guide to the Mammals of Africa including Madagascar - Author: Theodor Haltenorth and Helmut Diller - Published: 1980 - Page: 57

African Wildlife Foundation

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List of South African Mammals