Wildlife
Springboks are strikingly marked antelopes that roam the plains of southern Africa and have many adaptations which enable a successful existence in this harsh environment. During hot, rainy summers springbok graze on grasses and turn to browsing on shrubs in colder winters, and when water is scarce they seek out moisture-rich roots. Springboks are renowned for ‘pronking’, which comprises several consecutive stiff-legged jumps, up to two meters high. This is a common response to predators, but can also be clever way of taking in their surroundings.
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Jumping for joy
Springbok celebrate the grass sprouting with some pronking.
Springbok celebrate the grass sprouting with some pronking.
Preview: Jumping for joy
This acrobatic display by the springbok is known as pronking.
This acrobatic display by the springbok is known as pronking.
Desert specialists
Springboks and cheetahs are well adapted to desert life.
Springboks are the most successful desert antelopes in Africa. Their coats can reflect solar radiation and they can sweat easily to offload heat. They never need to drink as they can get all the moisture they need from the plants they eat. But springboks need to be wary. Cheetah also evolved in the desert and are equally successful here. Jumping 2m, the springbok can signal a warning to others in the group that danger is nearby.
Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
The Springbok can be found in a number of locations including: Africa. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Springbok distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Least Concern
Population trend: Increasing
Year assessed: 2008
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
The springbok (Afrikaans and Dutch: spring = jump; bok = antelope or goat) (Antidorcas marsupialis) is a medium-sized brown and white antelope-gazelle of southwestern Africa. It is extremely fast and can reach speeds of 100 km/h (62 mph) and can leap 4 m (13 feet) into the air and jump a horizontal distance of up to 15 m (50 feet).
The specific epithet marsupialis (Latin: marsupium, "pocket") derives from a pocket-like skin flap which extends along the middle of the back from the tail onwards. When the male springbok is showing off his strength to attract a mate, or to ward off predators, he starts off in a stiff-legged trot, jumping up into the air with an arched back every few paces and lifting the flap along his back. Lifting the flap causes the long white hairs under the tail to stand up in a conspicuous fan shape, which in turn emits a strong scent of sweat. This ritual is known as stotting or pronking from the Afrikaans meaning to boast or show off.
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Predation defence
Dry tolerant
Hierarchical
Herbivorous
Adapted to jumping
Maternal care
Nomadic
Polygynous
Active at birth
Social
Adapted to running
Chemical communication
Sexual dimorphism
Territorial
Viviparous