Southern reedbuck facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Southern reedbuck |
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Redunca
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| Species: |
arundinum
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The southern reedbuck, also known as the rietbok or common reedbuck (Redunca arundinum), is a type of antelope that is active during the day. You can usually find these animals in southern Africa. A Dutch doctor and naturalist named Pieter Boddaert first described them in 1785. They belong to a group of animals called Redunca and are part of the Bovidae family, which includes cattle and goats. An average southern reedbuck weighs about 58 kg (128 lb) and its body is usually between 134 to 167 cm (53 to 66 in) long.
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What is a Southern Reedbuck?
The southern reedbuck is the largest among its close relatives, the Bohor reedbuck and the mountain reedbuck. It stands about 80 to 90 cm (31 to 35 in) tall at the shoulder. Female reedbucks weigh around 48 kg (106 lb), while males are heavier, weighing about 68 kg (150 lb). These antelopes can live for about 10 years.
Physical Features of the Southern Reedbuck
Southern reedbucks have special dark lines that run down the front of their front legs and the lower part of their back legs. They also have white rings around their eyes. Their fur is soft and feels almost like wool. The color of their coat can be light brown or grayish-brown, and it might be lighter on their neck and chest.
You can spot a small, black, bare patch of skin at the base of each ear. Their belly, lips, and chin are covered in white fur. The tail is short and bushy, with a white underside. Male southern reedbucks have horns that curve forward. These horns are about 35 to 45 cm (14 to 18 in) long and have a pale, rubbery band at the base. Females do not have horns.
- Head and body length: 130-160 cm (males), 120-140 cm (females)
- Shoulder height: 80-105 cm (males), 65-95 cm (females)
- Tail length: 18-30 cm
- Adult weight: 60-95 kg (males), 50-85 kg (females)
How Southern Reedbucks Live
Southern reedbucks usually live alone or in pairs. Sometimes, they gather in groups called herds with up to 20 members. During the hottest part of the day, they prefer to rest in tall grass or reed beds. They mostly eat during sunrise and sunset, and sometimes even at night.
Older male reedbucks often have their own special area, called a territory, which is about 35-60 hectares in size. They usually live with one female and keep other males away. Younger females and males sometimes do a special 'appeasement dance' for older males. During this dance, they run fast and make long jumps, curling their tail up. They also release scented air from a pocket in their groin with each bounce, making a popping sound.
Within their territory, they are active all the time in summer. However, in the wet season, they become more active at night. They often use the same paths to find good places to rest, eat grass, and drink water. On average, females might use an area of 123 hectares in their lifetime, while males use about 74 hectares.
What Southern Reedbucks Eat
Southern reedbucks are herbivores, which means they mainly eat plants. Their diet mostly consists of grasses, but they also eat herbs and reeds. Even though they live near water, they do not go into it. They need to drink water every few days, or even several times a day during the dry season.
Who Hunts Southern Reedbucks?
The main animals that hunt southern reedbucks include lions, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, Cape hunting dogs, African rock pythons, and nile crocodiles. Their coat color helps them blend in with the grasslands, making it harder for predators to spot them.
If they are surprised or attacked, they will stand very still. Then, they either hide or run away with a unique rocking-horse movement. After fleeing, they cautiously look back to make sure the danger is gone. They use special sounds, like a shrill whistle through their nostrils and a clicking noise, to warn other reedbucks about danger.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Southern reedbucks can breed almost all year round. However, most mating happens during the hot and wet seasons. Females are ready to have babies when they are two years old, and at this age, they leave their parents' territory. Males become mature a little later and might stay with their family group until they are three years old.
After a gestation period of seven to eight months, the female gives birth to one baby. The newborn stays hidden among the thick, tall grass for about two months. The mother does not stay with her baby all the time. Instead, she visits it for only 10 to 30 minutes each day to feed it.
Where Southern Reedbucks Live
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Southern reedbucks are found in many places, from Gabon and Tanzania all the way down to South Africa. Their home range seems to extend north into the Miombo woodlands. They like to live in moist grasslands with tall grass, reeds, plenty of cover, and water nearby. This includes places like floodplains, pastures, woodlands, and valleys.
They are common in valleys that flood sometimes near the Malagarasi River. You can also find them in the southern savannas of Tchibanga and Ndende in the Republic Democratic of Congo.
These animals are native to many countries, including Angola, Botswana, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. They also live in protected areas and places with not too many people. Large groups of southern reedbucks live in places like Selous National Park (Tanzania), Kafue National Park (Zambia), Nyika National Park (Malawi), Gorongosa National Park (Mozambique), Okavango National Park (Botswana), and Kruger National Park and Eastern Shores (South Africa).
Protecting Southern Reedbucks
Southern reedbucks are still found in many places, but they have disappeared from some areas where they used to live, like parts of the Congo. This is because of the growth of human settlements, which destroys their habitat, and also because people hunt them for meat and trophies. It is said that they are one of the easiest antelopes to get close to and hunt.
About 60% of all southern reedbucks are thought to live in protected areas, and about 13% live on private lands. The loss of their habitat and too much hunting has made them rare in most of South Africa. Their numbers have also become very low in west and central Africa. In Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo, they are almost gone.
