Title

The feeding ecology of a very small ruminant, the steenbok (Raphicerus campestris)

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

African Journal of Ecology

Volume

31

Publication Date

1-1-1993

First Page

35

Last Page

48

Abstract

Free-living steenbok (Raphicerus campestris, Thunberg, 1811) were studied for one year in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Habitat selection data showed a consistently strong preference for Acacia tortilis savanna throughout the year. Mean home range area was 0.62 km2. Diurnal activity consisted of about 33% foraging, with most of the rest of the day spent ruminating and resting. Nocturnal activity included a larger foraging component, amounting to 57% of a night in the dry season. Virtually all feeding time was spent on dicotyledonous plants (57% forbs, 41% woody plants, 1% creepers, on average over the year). This study confirms that steenbok are purely browsers by preference, and not mixed feeders as has previously been assumed.

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