Springbok

Springboks have a complex and changeable social structure. Like most ungulates, they live in herds that can be composed of multiple group types. These include mixed groups of non-dominant males, females and juveniles; bachelor groups of juvenile and young adult males; solitary dominant males who are territorial and defend their range from other males; and breeding harems comprised of a dominant male and multiple receptive females. The composition of these groups, as well as the numbers within them, change depending on the time of year and the availability of food. For example, during the rainy season, there will be more breeding harem groups than at other times of year. Springboks mate year-round, though mating is more common in the rainy season. To mate, a territorial dominant male will herd females passing through and foraging on his territory, creating a harem. He will display to them by pronking and defending his range from rival males. Courting a female in his harem involves approaching her and tapping his foot on the ground multiple times. If she's receptive, she will allow him to mate with her. After a pregnancy of 5 to 6 months, the mother will give birth to a single calf, which at first remains hidden away while the female forages. They rejoin the herd after about a month. The calf is weaned by the time it is 4 months old. Springboks reach sexual maturity as early as 7 months old, and while females stay with their natal herd, males leave to join a bachelor herd from 6 months old onward. When they are about 2 years old, they reach social maturity and establish their own territory, however, many males never become dominant and will never acquire a harem, mating instead with receptive females within a mixed group.

Springboks have a complex and changeable social structure. Like most ungulates, they live in herds that can be composed of multiple group types. These include mixed groups of non-dominant males, females and juveniles; bachelor groups of juvenile and young adult males; solitary dominant males who are territorial and defend their range from other males; and breeding harems comprised of a dominant male and multiple receptive females. The composition of these groups, as well as the numbers within them, change depending on the time of year and the availability of food. For example, during the rainy season, there will be more breeding harem groups than at other times of year. Springboks mate year-round, though mating is more common in the rainy season. To mate, a territorial dominant male will herd females passing through and foraging on his territory, creating a harem. He will display to them by pronking and defending his range from rival males. Courting a female in his harem involves approaching her and tapping his foot on the ground multiple times. If she's receptive, she will allow him to mate with her. After a pregnancy of 5 to 6 months, the mother will give birth to a single calf, which at first remains hidden away while the female forages. They rejoin the herd after about a month. The calf is weaned by the time it is 4 months old. Springboks reach sexual maturity as early as 7 months old, and while females stay with their natal herd, males leave to join a bachelor herd from 6 months old onward. When they are about 2 years old, they reach social maturity and establish their own territory, however, many males never become dominant and will never acquire a harem, mating instead with receptive females within a mixed group.