Steinbuck (Isha, Dondor (Swahili) )

More slender than a bush duiker, less so than an oribi, the steinbuck can be mistaken for either but has characteristically rounded hauches without visible tail, very large, white-lined ears, a retroussé, black-bridged nose and big, black-rimmed eyes encircled by white. The males have very upright, polished spike horns.

Distribution:

All of South Africa from Angola to near the mouth of the Zambezi. East Africa on both the Kenya coast and open plateaus and savannahs inland up to 4.750 m.

Habitat:

In South Africa they are mainly open-plains animals. In East Africa they are common in stony savannahs and among Acacia-grassland mosaics.

Food:

They are browsers at or near ground level and adept at scraping up selected roots and tubers with hard, sharp hooves. They also take fruits, and during periods of early growth may graze almost wholly on sprouting grass. They can survive without water and may live as far as 80km from water in the Kalahari subdesert.

Behavior:

Pairs are thought to live for long periods with the same partner on the same territory (4ha to 1km2). When alerted, their first line of defense is to sink to the ground and freeze, ears retracted while attentively watching any approaching danger. Their second strategy is to flee if the danger draws too close. Fast, zigzag flight alternates with repeated attempts at prostrate concealment.

Status:

Although exterminated from many small localities, still common in suitable habitats. Overall not endangered.