The springbok, a medium-sized antelope native to the dry grasslands, bushlands, and shrublands of southern and southwestern Africa, is an herbivore. This adaptable animal, scientifically known as Antidorcas marsupialis, has developed specialized feeding behaviors to thrive in its often-arid environment. Understanding its dietary habits reveals how it successfully occupies its ecological niche across regions like the Kalahari Desert.
Primary Food Sources
Springboks are classified as both browsers and grazers. While they are primarily browsers, feeding on leaves, shoots, and fruits from shrubs and trees, they also graze on various grasses. Their diet commonly includes young succulents, which are particularly valuable for their moisture content, along with a variety of flowers when available.
This dietary versatility allows springboks to adapt to the diverse vegetation found across their habitat. They consume plant species such as Lampranthus and Themeda triandra grasses. Their ability to switch between browsing and grazing ensures they can find sustenance even when certain plant types are scarce. This selective feeding behavior means they choose the most nutritious and palatable fodder at any given time.
Water Acquisition and Adaptation
Springboks obtain most of their water directly from the vegetation they consume. This allows them to survive for extended periods, sometimes even years, without needing to drink free-standing water. Succulent plants are particularly important in this regard, providing a significant source of moisture. This capacity helps them survive in their dry habitats where water sources can be infrequent or seasonal.
Springboks can maintain water balance by consuming plants with a water content of at least 67%. They may achieve this by feeding on flowers, seeds, and leaves of shrubs, such as Acacia mellifera and Acacia hebeclada, before dawn. At this time, the vegetation is often more succulent due to overnight dew or reduced evaporation. While they can go without drinking, springboks readily drink water when it is available.
Seasonal Shifts and Feeding Habits
The feeding strategies of springboks shift throughout the year, primarily influenced by seasonal changes in vegetation availability. During the wet season, when grasses are abundant and green, springboks predominantly graze. This allows them to take advantage of the lush growth and higher nutritional value of fresh grasses. Their herd sizes tend to decrease during the hot-wet season.
As the environment transitions into the dry season, grasses become scarcer and drier, prompting springboks to shift their diet towards browsing on shrubs and consuming more succulents. This change supports both nutrition and water acquisition during periods of drought. Springboks have also been observed feeding at night, potentially to benefit from elevated moisture levels in plants during cooler hours.