SMALL ANTELOPES AND HERBIVORES OF BOTSWANA

Impala
Aepyceros melampus
The impala is an ecotone species, that is, it occupies the transition zone between grasslands and woodland.  Impalas feed on both grasses and browse, so the edge zones along forested islands and open floodplains provide them with a perfect habitat.  This dietary adaptability has led to its success in southern Africa and it is one of the most abundant antelopes wherever it occurs.

It is often overlooked because it is so abundant and is seen so frequently on a Botswana safari; however, it is an attractive, almost perfectly proportioned animal, and its large herds are a pleasure to sit and watch.  The males have lovely, lyrate horns.  Impala have black tufts on their lower hind legs which contain scent glands.

Males are quite combative during the "rutting season"; that is, when they are competing for herds of females and breeding rights.  Their vociferous roaring and snorting of the rams (a sound that the uninitiated will hardly believe comes from such a dainty animal) as they chase each other and the ewes is a common sound in the winter months.  Fights between the rams can be serious and fatalities do occur.

Dominant rams separate out 15-20 ewes and their young into harems during the rut.  This is disruptive to the herds but they reform after the rut is over.  Larger herds and aggregations of several herds are not uncommon when the annual rut is over and the males become less territorial and aggressive.  Bachelor herds consisting of all males are also common.  Fighting rams become totally immersed and less attentive to danger during the rut.  Dominant rams also tend to lose condition and often are the individuals who fall prey to predators.  The high energy requirements of dominance lead to high turnover and rams may sometimes reintegrate into bachelor herds after losing a herd.

Impala are preyed upon by many species, but they are probably the common prey species for African wild dogs, leopards and solitary cheetah. They are not often captured by lion as impala are extremely agile and are incredible jumpers.  They are often found associating on the open floodplains with a troop of chacma baboons (Papio ursinus).  Impala are found throughout the Okavango Delta, the Kwando and Linyanti areas and throughout Chobe National Park. 

Common reedbuck
Redunca arundinum
The common reedbuck is a medium to small antelope, with brownish color and white under parts.  They have fairly specific habitat requirements and their distribution is therefore patchy. The male reedbuck has horns which curve forward and are partially ridged.

Reedbucks live in family groups of 5-10 individuals, but are also found in pairs or groups up to 20.  They are both diurnal and nocturnal and feed mostly in early morning and late afternoon or evening.  They usually lie up in tall grass during the day.  They are often found in dry lagoons or among reed beds and they require permanent water nearby.

Reedbuck are mainly grazers but may also browse on woody vegetation in the dry season.  They can subside on grasses which are unpalatable to most other antelopes. They are preyed upon by lions, wild dogs, hyena, leopard and cheetah.  They lack endurance and avoid predation mainly via quickly disappearing into thick cover followed by lying motionless and flat to avoid detection.

While perhaps not an exciting safari sighting, reedbucks are not seen every day and are therefore good sightings nonetheless. Safari camps which have had good reedbuck sightings include Chitabe Camp, Kwara Camp, and Vumbura Camp in the Okavango Delta.

Bushbuck
Tragelaphus scriptus
The bushbuck is one of the most attractive antelopes in Botswana.  It has a lovely, bright chestnut coat (more brownish in some areas) with white markings.   Similar to the red lechwe (Kobus leche), its hindquarters are more developed than its forequarters.  The ram has horns up to 20 inches that are nearly straight, with a slight twist.

Bushbuck inhabit densely forested areas and are a very common species; however, they are seldom seen owing to their shy and secretive nature and their habitat.  It is never found on open plains and only rarely ventures even slightly away from thick bush.

Their diet consists almost completely of browse, preferring herbs and leguminous plants, but they will occasionally eat grasses.  They are found singly or in pairs.  A bushbuck has well developed senses and it is a swift runner, with excellent jumping ability.  They are preyed upon mainly by leopard, wild dogs and sometimes by pythons.  They avoid predation mainly by remaining motionless and they typically freeze when in the proximity of a predator.  Bushbuck are incredibly well camouflaged in thickets.

Bushbuck are found throughout the Okavango Delta, the Linyanti and Chobe regions.  We have seen bushbuck at many different camps including Duba Plains Camp, Xigera Camp, and Chitabe Camp.

Steenbok
Raphicerus campestris
The steenbok is found throughout Botswana in a wide variety of habitats, from the lush islands of the Okavango Delta to the arid central regions of the country.  Steenbok may be found in thick bush, open grassland and woodland.   It is one of Africa's "dwarf antelopes", standing a mere 20 inches high at the shoulder and weighing only 20-25 pounds.

Other than its small size, it is recognizable by its large, doe-like eyes, and reddish-brown coat and white patch on the throat and above the eyes.  Only the ram sports short, smooth, pointy horns.

The steenbok occurs in pairs or singly and it is territorial.  Unlike other antelope, they defecate and urinate in scraped areas dug by their front hoofs, which are then scraped over.  They are most active in early morning and late afternoon and also at night.  They typically lie in cover during the day.

Steenbok are mixed feeders, eating grass, browse, seed pods and even fruits.  They are also known to dig for roots and bulbs with the front hooves.  It is preyed upon by leopard, jackals and caracal and the young are even vulnerable to eagles.  Steenbok are good at detecting and avoiding predation and it is very swift.  If threatened, a steenbok lies motionless until detection is imminent, whereby it dashes in a zigzag sprint at high speed, only to disappear in another patch of cover.  Their sudden flight may startle and possibly delay a predators attack, allowing it to escape.

Warthog
Phacochoerus aethiopicus
The warthog is a gregarious member of the swine family that lives throughout most of Botswana.  Warthogs are named for the wart-like protuberances on their face, two pair on the male and only one, less conspicuous pair on the female.

They have tufts of pale-colored whiskers on their faces and the adult's canine teeth develop into large, curved tusks and this combination is no doubt what adds to their "beauty."  The tusks of an adult boar may reach considerable length and they are formidable defensive weapons.

Warthogs are diurnal and sleep the night in abandoned aardvark holes.  They enter these holes backwards, which is a defensive tactic, enabling it to make a quick escape when in danger from a predator.  They love wallowing in mud and rubbing their mud-covered bodies on stumps and the trunks of trees.

Their diet consists mostly of short grasses, roots, bulbs and tubers, which they excavate using their snouts and tusks.  When grazing, they normally kneel.  They will also occasionally browse and even feed on dead animals when encountered.

"Sounders" consisting of females and their young are quite common, as are bachelor groups.  The warthog has poor eyesight but a good sense of smell and hearing.  They are extremely swift and even the young are able to run a surprising speeds when threatened.  Lions and leopards are their primary predators, but wild dogs also take them on occasion.

Warthogs are seen throughout the Okavango Delta, Linyanti and Chobe.  Safari camps known for their warthog populations include Duba Plains Camp, Savuti Camp and Mombo Camp.