habitat_narrative

Terrestrial

They occur in areas of scrub, thickets and grass, avoiding stands of tall grass, sometimes occupying the base of koppies and stony ridges as well as riverine vegetation (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). Specifically, they appear to be associated with Miombo (Brachystegia) woodland where there is good undercover in the form of low-growing scrub or medium-length grass (Rautenbach 1982; Skinner & Chimimba 2005; Hoffmann & Wilson 2013). Although they appear to be associated with areas of good ground cover, they are also found in pure stands of Mopane (Colophospermum mopane), and in Chobe National Park they were seen on a sandy plateau in open woodland with light grass and scrub cover (IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group 2016). They are predominantly browsers, but will also graze (Astley Maberly 1963; Hoffmann & Wilson 2013). They occur in areas where the majority of plant production occurs below 2 m (Jarman 1974). With territorial habits, one would expect Sharpe’s Grysbok to self-regulate their numbers. Overall, little is known about them as they are predominantly nocturnal and live in concealed habitats, often crouching low to the ground while running when flushed. Usually they occur as solitary adults, pairs or a female with a single offspring (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). Even when a pair is sharing the same bush for shade and/or shelter, they appear to lie in different parts of it (Stevenson-Hamilton 1947).

Locally, in the protected areas adjacent to the KNP (eastern Lowveld), Sharpe’s Grysbok are found predominantly in the Lowveld Rugged Mopaneveld (Astley Maberly 1963; Mucina & Rutherford 2006). This area has dissected steep slopes with dense shrub cover interspersed with large trees and a moderate herbaceous layer (Skinner & Chimimba 2005; Mucina & Rutherford 2006). There is a subpopulation in the Letaba Ranch reserve (J. Marshall pers. comm. 2014), which is in agreement with Astley-Maberley (1963), and, further east, they are seen in the Makuleke between the Luvuvhu and Limpopo Rivers. In the Kingfisherspruit section of the KNP, the species is seen mostly north of the Timbavati River in the Mopane/Combretum veld (R. Sowry pers. comm. 2014). This concurs with J. Llewllyn (pers. comm. 2014) who reports most of the sightings in the Umbabat from the farms Sibon and Buffelsbed, which are to the north of Richard Sowry’s section. West of the latter reserves, M. Cesare (pers. comm. 2014) reports that they are relatively common in the hilly Commiphora woodland adjacent to the Olifants in the Balule Nature Reserve. Still further west it appears that there are small but stable subpopulations on the Selati (D. Joubert pers. comm. 2014) and Makalali Game Reserves (R. Kettles pers. comm. 2014). In the eastern Lowveld along the Olifants River and west towards the Drakensberg Mountains, this species occupies a niche in the shallow-soiled, broken, stony terrain just below the rocky outcrop zone (Stevenson-Hamilton 1947; Astley Maberly 1963; Potgieter et al. 1971; Werger 1978; Rautenbach 1982; Skinner & Chimimba 2005; M. Cesare pers. comm. 2014; I. Rushworth pers. comm. 2014). The terrain is undulating, broken and stony with mainly shallow, sandy soils and appears to be prime habitat for grysbok. A detailed description of these habitats in the protected areas adjacent to the KNP is presented in Peel et al. (2007) and in the KNP in Gertenbach (1983). Sharpe’s Grysbok are also found in a diversity of other habitats from dry sandy veld in Botswana, Miombo woodland in Zambia and Zimbabwe and in riverine areas of Hwange (Smithers 1966, 1971).

Ecosystem and cultural services: None recorded