Name

Sharpe's Grysbok or Northern Grysbok [Raphicerus sharpei]

Appearance

Sharpe's Grysbok is a shy antelope, which is slightly smaller than the Cape Grysbok, and which has athick-set body and a rich rufous-coloured coat. It stands 500 mm at the shoulder and weighs eight kg as an adult. A mingling of white and rich rufous hair on the back and sides gives this species a wiry grizzled appearance. Only rams have horns, which are 60-100 mm in length.

Diet

Sharpe's Grysbok is principally a browser, feeding on the leaves and young shoots of shrubs and bushes. Sharpe's Grysbok also feeds on grass shoots, fruit and flowers when available. Cultivated crops are also taken at night.

Breeding

Single lambs are born after a gestation period of seven months. Because of its secretive nature very little has been recorded of this animal's habits.

Behaviour

Sharpe's Grysbok is usually solitary, lying up during the heat of day and grazing and browsing at night and early hours of the morning.

Where they are found

The Sharpe's Grysbok is similar in appearance and habit as its Cape counterpart, but found in the north-eastern Mpumalanga's Lebombo mountain range and further north. Conservation status of Sharpe's Grysbok is unknown, but probably a rare species.

Field Notes

Males and females have their own territories independent of each other and they mark territories by dung middens. Sharpe's Grysbok has been seen to take cover in burrows such as those of the Aardvark.