The national animal of South Africa

THE NATIONAL ANIMAL OF SOUTH AFRICA

The national animal of South Africa, and the namesake of our country’s rugby team, the scientific name for the springbok is Antidorcas marsupialis. The 4.3-hectare nature reserve on Val de Vie I is a fenced grazing area that is home to a herd of springbok and zebra.

Did you know?

A springbok is a herbivore (plant-eater). Its diet is based on grass, leaves, flowers, roots and tubers;

It has long, pointed ears, a long neck and a slender body. Lyre-shaped horns can be seen in both males and females (although they are longer and thicker in males);

A springbok can reach speeds of up to 88 kilometers per hour;

A springbok gets its name from its boastful and magnificent jumping display, called “pronking”. No one knows exactly why they do it, it could be because they are excited, agitated, spreading their scent or showing off their fitness to predators or rivals within their herd;

Its natural enemies are cheetahs, leopards, hyenas and lions.