Africam

Bushbuck

Tragelaphus scriptus

• Only male has horns
• Lives in overlapping home ranges and whithin an area animals know each other and have a dominance hierarchy.

• Are solitary, but groups may be seen feeding  peacefully in the same clearing.

• Hierarchy among males is age-based.

• When males get older the chestnut color changes to dark brown and the white marking become more conspicuous.
• Are slow runners but good swimmers
• Usually feeds at night and in early mornings or late evenings. If they are active during daytime it is usually in cool weather.
  

• Are exceptionally aggressive. Males will fight to the death over females and there are records of a bushbuck fatally goring a human.
  
• Males have a very loud bark, females also bark but less loudly.

• Babies are born in dense bushes and lie out for 4 months before accompanying their mother in the open and are mature by 1 year. Male horns will reach adult size around 3 years.

• The bushbuck is very well camouflaged while standing in cover.
• Shoulder height : male 80 cm, female 70 cm
  

References 

Wild Ways – Peter Apps 

Beat about the Bush – Trevor Carnaby

Safari Companion - Richard D. Estes

Behaviour guide to African mammals - Richard D. Estes

Kingdon Field Guide to African mammals - Jonathan Kingdon

Did you know...

Currently LIVE On Our Safari Cameras
Click On A Link For Full Motion Video and Stereo Sound