Overview
The blesbok is similar to the bontebok, except it is a little smaller, less richly colored, and has longer horns. The general color is reddish brown without the purplish gloss. The white facial blaze usually is divided by a narrow brown band just above the eyes. The rump patch is merely pale, not white, and does not extend around the base of the tail. The belly has much less white than a bontebok's, and the lower legs are mostly dark. The horns (both sexes) are similar to a bontebok's, but the rings are closer together, not as deep, do not encircle the horns, and are usually straw-colored-especially on the top of the rings. Females are similar, but smaller, and have thinner horns.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Bovidae
- Genus
- Damaliscus
- Species
- Damaliscus pygargus
Habitat
Open grassland. Distribution- Originally only in South Africa: from eastern and northwestern Cape Province through the Orange Free State to the southern Transvaal, and marginally into Natal. Though they once occurred in countless thousands, they were relentlessly hunted by early settlers until they nearly disappeared. In recent years, blesboks have been widely introduced and reintroduced into nearly all parts of South Africa until there is a wider distribution today than in the past, all of it on fenced farms and reserves. They have also been introduced in Namibia and Zimbabwe, where they were never indigenous. (For record keeping, we treat all populations as indigenous.)
Diet
A grazer that drinks water daily.
Behavior
The blesbok is a seasonal breeder, with rutting from March to May. Births peak during November and December. Females give birth to a single calf per breeding season. Gregarious, living in herds of 5-30, sometimes many more. Strongly territorial. Eyesight, hearing and sense of smell are good.
Hunting
Spot and stalk methods, and hunting over water sources.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.