habitat_narrative
Terrestrial
This species is closely associated with steep rocky and mountainous habitats, including granite outcrops, koppies and gorges with rocky embankments where it can find refuge from predators and an adequate supply of food (Estes 1991). The African Rift Valley and the southern African escarpment support vast areas of appropriate habitat, and form the core parts of its pan-African distribution. They are often found at the base of rocky outcrops (Wilson & Child 1965; Rautenbach 1982; M. Peel pers. obs. 2016) and may occasionally move away from these outcrops to browse, and have been known to traverse up to 10 km between rocky habitats (Norton 1997), which is suggestive of their dispersal capabilities. There is a subpopulation within the suburbs of Nelspruit, Mpumalanga Province (M. Peel pers. obs. 2016).The Klipspringer is highly adapted to rocky habitats, and is able to move with efficiency and agility over loose rocky terrain, and low-structured granite boulders. This manoeuvrability is due to its body size, and the anatomy of its foot structure (posterior rotation of the proximal inter-phalangeal joint), which enables the Klipspringer to walk on the very tips of its hooves, wearing them down into a cylindrical shape, and thus providing efficient grip on rocky surfaces (Norton 1980). The Klipspringerâs insulated coat enables it to withstand extreme cold and heat and it is able live at high and low elevations and in areas of high and low rainfall and therefore is considered to have a very adaptable diet (Estes 1991). Home range sizes are known to vary with rainfall (Norton 1980), with home range size contracting with increased rainfall. Dunbar (1978) noted a territory of 8 ha in a high rainfall area (1,300 mm), while Norton (1980) found territory sizes of 49 ha and 15 ha in Springbok (160 mm) and Gamkaberg Nature Reserves, near Oudtshoorn (400 mm), respectively. It is almost exclusively a concentrate browser, Klipspringer will only feed on grass under certain conditions (Dunbar & Dunbar 1974), and are highly selective of particular plant parts (Norton 1984). For example, Norton (1984) described Klipspringer feeding on the growing shoots, fruits and flowers of a variety of shrubs and herbs, but when availability decreases, they will browse on the leaves and steams of these species (Norton 1984). Wilson and Child (1965), who assessed the 74 samples of Klipspringer stomach contents in Zambia revealed that 90% comprised of browse material, including leaves, berries, seedpods, fruit and flowers; with seasonal preferences for plants such as Euphoria tirucalli and Vellozia equisetifolia.
Klipspringers are small ungulates, with adult females (13 kg) slightly larger than males (10 kg) (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). Often, males and females will form long-lasting pair bonds, and both will exhibit sedentary, territorial behaviour (Norton 1997), although small, temporary groups of up to six individuals may assemble in favourable feeding sites (Skinner & Smithers 1990), this is more the exception. When foraging, one of the adults will feed, while the other (most often the male) remains vigilant, watching for both terrestrial and aerial predators. Males spend more time in anti-predator vigilance behaviour, compared to females, which enables females to concentrate a greater proportion of their energy on reproduction (Norton 1980). When disturbed, the vigilant adult produces a warning alarm call to allow the other adult and young time to retreat a short distance to the safety of rocky, sheltered habitats, before turning to face the source of threat (Norton 1997). This behaviour allows for the conservation of energy, in the case of a false alarm, or if the predator is not hunting (Norton 1980).
Rocky, mountainous habitats usually experience enhanced climatic extremes compared to lowland areas, due to altitude, aspect, wind exposure, terrestrial radiation and shelter. Thus Klipspringer have evolved a remarkably thick and coarse pelage, with quill-like hairs, which functions as an effective insulator both against the cold and radiated heat, as well as to prevent water loss. Additionally, Klipspringer are able to survive independently from water, though they will drink when it is available, often from nearby streams or waterholes, or alternatively from temporary pools held in rocky depressions.
Norton (1980) noted that in South Africa, Klipspringers are seasonal breeders, with a peak in births between July and September, following a gestation period of approximately 210 days. For the first 2â3 months of life, young Klipspringer are hidden in dense vegetation away from predators (Norton 1980). Young are usually weaned after four or five months, then are subsequently forced away from their mothers into new territories (Norton 1980).
Ecosystem and cultural services: Due to its unique adaptations for living in rocky habitats, and charismatic nature among the antelope species, this species is touted as a flagship species for the conservation of rocky habitats within the mountainous regions of Namaqualand and the Waterberg in Limpopo Province.
This small antelope species forms a valuable prey component of a number of terrestrial and aerial predators, such as Leopard (Panthera pardus), Caracal (Caracal caracal), and to a lesser extent Chacma Baboons (Papio ursinus), Verreauxâs Eagles (Aquila verreauxii) and Martial Eagles (Polemaetus bellicosus).
The fur of this species was once used by early settlers as late as the 19th century for use in the stuffing of saddles.
