Sharpe’s Grysbok (Raphicerus sharpei)

Overview
Sharpe’s grysbok, also known as the northern grysbok, is a small, elusive antelope native to southeastern Africa, including regions of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, and Tanzania.

Appearance
Standing 45–60 cm at the shoulder and weighing 7–11.5 kg, this antelope features a reddish-brown coat flecked with white, providing effective camouflage in its habitat. Males possess short, widely spaced horns measuring 3–6 cm, while females are hornless.

Behaviour
Primarily nocturnal and solitary, Sharpe’s grysbok’s rest in dense vegetation during the day and forage at night. When threatened, they often freeze or seek refuge in burrows, such as those abandoned by aardvarks.

Diet
Their diet consists mainly of leaves, buds, herbs, and fruits. During dry seasons, they adapt by consuming tougher vegetation, utilizing their specialized molars for grinding.

Reproduction
Breeding occurs year-round, with a gestation period of approximately seven months, typically resulting in a single offspring. Young grysbok reach independence between 6 to 19 months of age.

Habitat
Sharpe’s grysbok’s inhabit rocky hillsides, savannas, and woodland areas, favouring regions with dense cover and fertile lower slopes.

Despite their wide distribution, Sharpe’s grysbok are infrequently seen due to their secretive nature and preference for dense habitats.