Oreotragus oreotragus
klipspringer

The klipspringer occurs in isolated populations from Ethiopia to the tip of South Africa.

Klipspringers live in steep, rocky terrain and are most common in mountain ranges and gorges of major rivers. They are abundant in suitable habitat (as many as 45 animals per square kilometer), but they are patchily distributed among outcroppings of rock.

Klipspringers are small, stocky bovids. The males have wide-set, spike-like horns averaging 10cm long. Males and females have preorbital glands, males have preputial glands, and neither sex has hoof glands. The coat is thick and dense; the individual hairs are loosely connected to the skin and are hollow. This hair type is unique among bovids and otherwise found only in pronghorns and the white tailed deer. Females are slightly larger than males (Female height: 50-53cm; Male height: 49-52cm).

Reproduction varies with geography. Breeding is seasonal in Ethiopia, perennial in Zambia, and varies locally in Cape Province. Females give birth to one young after a seven month gestation period. Young are born in a protected rocky recess and remain hidden for 2-3 months. Young join the parents after 2-3 months and are weaned after 4-5 months. Horns begin to develop at 6 months and are fully grown at 17-18 months. Young reach adult size after one year.

Klipspringers form territorial, tightly knit, monogamous pairs that share a permanent home range. The mean group size is 2.6; most groups are male-female pairs or family groups of a pair and the young of the year. Single klipspringers generally make up less than 10% of the population and are almost always unmated males. Pairs maintain proximity, and the male typically stands guard while the female forages and cares for the young. During the dry season, when resources are scarce, pairs will congregate into small groups of 6-8 individuals. These groups dissolve into pairs once food becomes abundant. Klipspringers mark the perimeter of their terriroties with secretions from their preorbital glands and with dung deposits. Males actively defend their territory from conspecifics by horn-presenting and by chasing intruders. Males fight by stabbing and butting heads; females fight by biting.

Klipspringers are selective browsers. They prefer lush evergreen shrubs and herbs but will eat fruit, seed pods, flowers and lichens. They will leave their home ranges to forage on new grass shoots. They drink when water is available but they generally get water from their food.

These agile, charming animals serve to attract tourists and hunters.

Klipspringers may be a host to the tse-tse fly, which can carry African sleeping sickness.

Because they are patchily distributed in isolated populations, klipspringers have differentiated into distinct populations, several of which are threatened. The most severely threatened population is the Nigerian subspecies O. o. porteousi. Other populations, especilly those in Ethiopia, are thriving.

Klipspringers have a modified hoof structure that allows them to be especially agile on rocky terrain. The animal stands on the tips of its hooves, and the two digits are kept tightly connected by integument so they do not splay. The outer edges of the hooves are kept sharp by wear on the soft, inner surface.