Redunca redunca
Bohar reedbuck

The bohor reedbuck is found in the floodplain and drainage-line grasslands of the northern and southern Savanna on the continent of Africa (Estes, 1991).

The habitats of the bohor reedbuck are grasslands and wide wideplains that have tall grass in which they can hide. They are rarely found on steep slopes or tall grassland because of the poor vegetation.

The bohor reedbuck is a medium sized antelope. Males range in height between 75 - 89 cm whereas females range in height from 69 - 76 cm. The males are not only larger than the females but their markings are more defined as well. The color of reedbucks ranges from yellow to a grayish brown, but in general, bohor reedbucks are yellower than the other reedbuck species. Bohor reedbucks have a round bare spot beneath each ear along with white underparts and white markings under their tails. Young bohors have darker and longer hair than the adults. Just male bohor reedbucks have horns, which vary in size from 20 -41 cm and slightly hook forward (Estes, 1991).

Bohor reedbucks are capable of living individually, in small groups, and in a large herd. The bohors do not scent mark their territory, so boundaries are fairly vague. Bohor reedbucks use whistling to both let the boundaries of their territory be known and to sound an alarm (Estes, 1991). Females' ranges are smaller than that of males and commonly overlap one another. As many as one to five females may be found in a male's home range. Males become defensive not when their physical territory is being threatened but when the females living on it are threatened (Kingdon, 1989). Females do not form groups as long as there is cover to hide in. Without shelter, the females, along with their offspring, form groups of ten with other females. Young males set out on their own after their horms begin to appear, which is around a half a year. Young males will form groups of two or three until they reach maturity (Estes, 1991). Female offspring gradually grow apart from their mother's home range (Kingdon, 1989).

The traditional territorial and family organization falls apart when the bohors form huge groups. This usually occurs during the dry season, when hundreds of bohors are forced to converge around a river.

Bohor reedbucks are nocturnal animals. In the dry season, they rest less in the day because they have to spend more time grazing.

As for mating behavior, females are approached by the males, who perform urine testing to see is a prospective females is ready. If the females runs off, she will not be pursued. After a female has been chosen, the two bohors perform what is known as the mating march, in which the male makes attempts to mount the female. Eventually the male does a forearm lift and holds the female in position. If the female stands firm, it is a signal that she is ready for copulation. Copulation occurs very quickly and after dismounting, the two bohors remain stationary for a while and then proceed to graze (Estes, 1991).

The bohor reedbuck is a grazing animal and prefers grasses with high protein and low fiber. During the dry season they eat other types of vegetation if their normal diet is not available. The bohor reedbuck is a water dependent animal but may not need water if they are in green pastures (Estes, 1991). In farming communities, bohor reedbucks have been spotted grazing on wheat and other grains (Kingdon, 1989).

Bohor reedbucks have been found grazing on farmers' crops, especially wheat and other grains (Kingdon, 1989).

Bohor reedbucks have been a game animal in Africa in the past. During the dry season, bohors are hunted with dogs and nets in Uganda. Bohors with the largest horns are prized by hunters (Kingdon, 1989)

We have no text on this topic for this species. Look to the sidebar on the right for some limited information.

Young bohor reedbucks that are found by Bahima herdsmen are sometimes raised by goats. Sometimes captured bohor reedbucks are herded right along with the sheep and goats. In captivity, bohor reedbucks have been known to live as long as ten years (Kingdon, 1989).