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Facts about this animal

The mountain reedbuck occurs in three separate geographic areas, each containing a separate subspecies. The southern mountain Reedbuck inhabits an area from the eastern Cape Province (South Africa) to southeastern Botswana. Chanler's mountain reedbuck occurs in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, and Ethiopia. The Adamawa mountain reedbuck has only been found in Cameroon.

The Mountain Reedbuck is a medium-sized, graceful and shy antelope their fur is predominantly grey, but the head and shoulders are a reddish-brown. It has a fluffy white tail and striking white underparts. Forward curved horns are only found on rams. This species has long narrow ears.

Their natural habitat is, as their name suggests, mountainous terrain and they can be seen on mountain slopes feeding or resting in the shade and camouflage of the thick bush.

Mountain Reedbuck are predominantly grazers, and water is an important habitat requirement. They tend to feed in the early evening and morning hours, normally in small groups of six or fewer animals. A typical group is made up of one adult male and several adult females and juveniles. Adolescent males are forced out of their herds and form small bachelor herds.

Although the species is social (females are usually found in small herds), groups are not stable: individuals may switch groups regularly. Females occupy home ranges of 0.36-0.76 km2, which overlap several smaller male territories. The areas defended by males may vary from as small as 0.05 km2 to nearly 0.5 km2; body posturing and vocalizations are used to maintain boundaries between neighboring males.

Factsheet

Scientific classification

• Scientific Name: Redunca fulvorufula
• Size: Shoulder 65-89cm
• Weight: male 24-36 kg; female 15-30 kg
• Lifespan: 10-12 years in the wild
• Habitat: Mountainous terrain
• Diet: Grazer
• Gestation: 8 months
• Predators: Lions, cheetahs, hyenas, leopards, humans

Conservation status: Least concern / Protected