Blesbok - Bontebok
Afrikaans name : Bontebok - Blesbok
Scientific name : (damaliscus dorcas)

Region : Blesbok once roamed the highvelds of all Southern Africa in vast herds. Bontebok are native to the Strandveld of the Southern Cape Peninsula area.
Description : the smallest of the alcelaphines with shining, purplish, multihued coats and a white spot/bles on their foreheads and white underbelly, inner thigh and lower legs. Bontebok are larger  than blesbok.
Habitat : Found near cover and water; woodland, swamp and marshlands.
Weight : max. 85 kg.
Height : less than a meter high
Horns : two s-shaped horns up to 40cm long. Blesbok have greenish horns, bontebok have black horns.
Food : Blesbok is a pure and selective grazer, preferring sweetgrass in the wet season, but able to live in sourveld, in the dry season, where other antelope would not survive. Needs water close by.
Habits : Herds are divided into female and bachelor herds. They shelter under trees and in dense thickets.
Young : Newborn are tan with dark blaze and no markings. Calving season early summer. Maturity on 3 years. Gestation period 8 months. Calves accompany mothers immediately.
Predators : Leopards, Hyena, Lion, Caracal, Jackal.