Overview
The smallest of the bohor reedbucks, with short, very stout horns, and no dark stripe on the forelegs.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Bovidae
- Genus
- Redunca
- Species
- Redunca redunca
Habitat
Tall grass and reedbeds near a water supply, at all elevations from sea level to high mountains. Scattered trees and bush are tolerated, but woodland and scrub are avoided. Distribution- From Senegal eastward to Benin.
Diet
Primarily grazes.
Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, sometimes in small family groups. The male defends his territory, excluding other males but not fighting seriously enough to cause injury. Breeding takes place throughout the year, but with seasonal peaks; most births take place December-May. The single young stays with the mother until shortly before the birth of the next. Largely nocturnal but also active by day in the dry season. Eyesight, hearing and sense of smell are all good. It runs with a rocking-horse gait, holding the tail upright to show the white underside. It is reluctant to enter or to cross water. Alarm call is a shrill whistle.
Hunting
This animal can be difficult to hunt in high grass; however, it is not especially wary and, once the grass is down, the difficulty eases. Even when alarmed it will usually stop running after a hundred yards or so and look back.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern as an overall species, though there is consensus that habitat degradation is causing a decline in populations.