The hair is soft and has a iridescent sheen. The body color is a deep purple-red with a white blaze on the face and a white tail. The horns are well developed in both sexes and are angular and ringed (up to 18 inches).

Name: Damaliscus dorcas

Diet Description: Grazers, feeding on short grasses.

Habitat: Bontebok prefer short grass plains in fynbos areas.

Distribution: Once considered to be the rarest antelope in the world but careful conservation has ensured its survival. Only found in protected areas in South Africa.

Socialisation: Males have small territories, possibly occupied for life. Females wander the territories in groups of +/- 3. Also found in large herds containing young animals of both sexes.

Reproduction: Females become sexually mature at about 2 years of age. Males compete for females through postural displays and ritualistic sparring with the horns.

Gestation: 7 to 8 months. Give birth to a single young.

See Bontebok at Game Reserves and Game Lodges in:
Eastern Cape · Limpopo · North West · Mpumalanga · Gauteng · Free State
KwaZulu Natal · Western Cape · Garden Route · Kruger National Park
Northern Cape · Namibia · Botswana