The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Steenbok
Afrikaans name: Steenbok
Female Steenbok
Photo © Steven Herbert
Raphicerus campestris
Interesting facts about Steenbok
The Steenbok is an attractive small antelope which stands about 50 cm high at the shoulder. Occasionally they are referred to as either Steinbok or Steinbuck.
They are a very neat looking animal with a fawn coloured coat and white underparts. They resemble the much larger Oribi. Only the male Steenbok has horns.
Although Steenbok can be found in a wide variety of habitats they do tend to favour those with grassy areas interspersed with trees and bushes.
Their main diet is leaves although they do sometimes dig up roots and tubers. Occasionally they will eat fruit but they only eat grass on rare occasions. They do not drink from water sources as they get their moisture requirements from the food they eat.
Steenbok may be seen singly or in pairs. Females give birth to one fawn at a time but may breed twice a year.
References and further reading
Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 161Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 238
Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 25
Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 110
The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 54
The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 110
The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 64
The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 85
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 71
Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1996 - Page: 158
South African Animals in the Wild - Author: Anthony Bannister - Published: 1985 - Page: 50
Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1986 - Page: 173
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southe - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Published: 1991 - Page: 415
Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 3
Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 1987 - Page: 113
Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Published: 1980 - Page: 94
Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Published: 1986 - Page: 176
First Field Guide to Animal Tracks of Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2003 - Page: 48
Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 50
Kruger National Park Questions and Answers - Author: P.F. Fourie - Published: 1987 - Page: 103
Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Published: 1987 - Page: 122
Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2001 - Page: 216
Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1997 - Page: 188
Chris and Tilde Stuarts Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edit - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 216
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 26
An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Published: 1987 - Page: 244
African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Published: 1999 - Page: 88
A Field Guide to the Eastern Cape Coast - Author: R. Lubke, F. Gess & M. Bruton - Published: 1988 - Page: 294
A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 93