Bushbuck

Afrikaans name: Bosbok

Female Bushbuck in Letaba Camp

Photo © Steven Herbert

Tragelaphus sylvaticus

Interesting facts about Bushbuck

The Bushbuck is a fairly common, but often rather shy, antelope. It is found in a number of different habitats including forest, riverine forest and woodland.

Although in most places Bushbuck are quite shy, and will bolt at the first sign of humans, it can be quite tame. In Kruger National Park there are some camps and picnic sites where the Bushbuck wander amongst the tourists.

Bushbuck stand about 90 cm in height at the shoulder and weigh up to 80 kg.

Male Bushbuck have a chocolate brown coat and have horns. Females are more of a rufous-brown colour and do not have horns.

Bushbuck are browsers and eat a wide variety of plants. They are normally seen singly and do not form herds.

Wounded male Bushbuck have a reputation for being very aggressive towards hunters.

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 224

Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 178

Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 122

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 60

The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 22

South African Animals in the Wild - Author: Anthony Bannister - Published: 1985 - Page: 40

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1996 - Page: 192

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1986 - Page: 209

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 15

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southe - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Published: 1991 - Page: 415

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Published: 1980 - Page: 136

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Published: 1986 - Page: 196

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 1987 - Page: 141

Kruger National Park Questions and Answers - Author: P.F. Fourie - Published: 1987 - Page: 122

Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Published: 1987 - Page: 137

Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 47

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2001 - Page: 190

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1997 - Page: 124

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 169

Chris and Tilde Stuarts Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edit - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 190

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Published: 1999 - Page: 64

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 16

A Field Guide to the Eastern Cape Coast - Author: R. Lubke, F. Gess & M. Bruton - Published: 1988 - Page: 295

A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 84

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List of South African Mammals