MAMMALS
Bontebok, Damaliscus pygargus pygarus
Gregarious and diurnal, the bontebok is a tall, medium-sized, dark brown antelope with a white underside and a white stripe from the forehead to the tip of the nose, and black-tipped tail. They stand up to 100 cm tall at the shoulder and measure 120 to 210 along the head and body. They can weigh up to 155 kg. Both sexes have clearly ringed horns, although the horns of rams are heavier and longer than those of ewes. It is endemic to the fynbos region and found on short grass plains within this vegetation region. A seasonal breeder, calves are born after a gestation period of 238 to 254 days. Historically, their distribution of the bontebok was confined to the southwestern Cape, from where it was also relocated to other conservation areas.
Cape mountain zebra, Equus zebra zebra
One of the rarest mammals in the world, Cape mountain zebras are endemic to the fynbos region. They have a slightly smaller smaller body than their close relatives the Hartmann's Mountain zebras from Namibia and southwest Angola. In contrast to the Burchell's zebra the mountain zebra has a prominent dewlap, a reddish brown nose, a white stomach, a gridiron pattern on the rump and no shadow stripes. These zebras congregate in small groups of about 5 to 13 animals – which is either family groups or bachelor groups. A mare can give birth to her first foal when she is three years old. Foals can be born throughout the year. Gestation is about a year. They can live up to 22 years, and enjoy dust bathing and spend time grooming themselves.
Cape grysbok, Raphicerus melanotis
The Cape grysbok is a small territorial antelope that is endemic to the fynbos region of the Western Cape. Seldom seen, it is stoutly built and has a coarse coat of reddish sandy hair flecked in white. The head, neck and legs are less flecked and somewhat yellowish, while the inside of the ears, eye-rings, mouth area, throat and underside are white. There is a black "bridge" to the nose and a dark scent gland in front of the eye. The ears are large and pointed. It weighs about 12 kg and stands 45–55 cm at shoulder height. Males have smooth short horns of about 8 cm long. The Cape grysbok can fluff out the fur at its rear end to make itself look bigger. It has a short and almost invisible tail. It is a browser with a gestation period of about 6 months. Single lambs are born in summer.
Gregarious and diurnal, the bontebok is a tall, medium-sized, dark brown antelope with a white underside and a white stripe from the forehead to the tip of the nose, and black-tipped tail. They stand up to 100 cm tall at the shoulder and measure 120 to 210 along the head and body. They can weigh up to 155 kg. Both sexes have clearly ringed horns, although the horns of rams are heavier and longer than those of ewes. It is endemic to the fynbos region and found on short grass plains within this vegetation region. A seasonal breeder, calves are born after a gestation period of 238 to 254 days. Historically, their distribution of the bontebok was confined to the southwestern Cape, from where it was also relocated to other conservation areas.
Cape mountain zebra, Equus zebra zebra
One of the rarest mammals in the world, Cape mountain zebras are endemic to the fynbos region. They have a slightly smaller smaller body than their close relatives the Hartmann's Mountain zebras from Namibia and southwest Angola. In contrast to the Burchell's zebra the mountain zebra has a prominent dewlap, a reddish brown nose, a white stomach, a gridiron pattern on the rump and no shadow stripes. These zebras congregate in small groups of about 5 to 13 animals – which is either family groups or bachelor groups. A mare can give birth to her first foal when she is three years old. Foals can be born throughout the year. Gestation is about a year. They can live up to 22 years, and enjoy dust bathing and spend time grooming themselves.
Cape grysbok, Raphicerus melanotis
The Cape grysbok is a small territorial antelope that is endemic to the fynbos region of the Western Cape. Seldom seen, it is stoutly built and has a coarse coat of reddish sandy hair flecked in white. The head, neck and legs are less flecked and somewhat yellowish, while the inside of the ears, eye-rings, mouth area, throat and underside are white. There is a black "bridge" to the nose and a dark scent gland in front of the eye. The ears are large and pointed. It weighs about 12 kg and stands 45–55 cm at shoulder height. Males have smooth short horns of about 8 cm long. The Cape grysbok can fluff out the fur at its rear end to make itself look bigger. It has a short and almost invisible tail. It is a browser with a gestation period of about 6 months. Single lambs are born in summer.