Steenbok Species Profile: The Small Plains Antelope That Hides in the Grass

Steenbok are easy to overlook, because they are small and solitary and they tend to crouch in grass when frightened. Once you know what to look for, though, they are a charming sighting on open plains.

This profile covers identification, habitat, behaviour, diet, conservation and viewing tips. For similar small antelopes, compare the common duiker, dik-dik and oribi.

This guide is part of our animals of Uganda and East Africa guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

Identification

The steenbok is a small, graceful antelope with a smooth, rich fawn to reddish-brown coat, clean white underparts and a white throat. Its ears are large, upright and pale on the inside. A black, triangular patch on the nose is a good identification feature, and the eyes are large and dark. Males have short, straight, upright horns, and females have none. The tail is tiny. It differs from the oribi by its larger ears, smaller size and the nose mark, and from the dik-dik by its longer legs and lack of a flexible snout.

Habitat and Range

Steenbok prefer open country with short to medium grass and scattered bushes, including plains, savanna and light woodland. They avoid dense forest and very tall grass. In East Africa, they are mainly found in the drier central and northern regions of Tanzania and in parts of southern Kenya, and they do not feature among the usual wildlife lists of Uganda and Rwanda. The best-known localities are the open plains of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro area, the Mara, and drier parks.

Behaviour and Social Life

Steenbok are mainly solitary, though pairs may be seen together for periods. Each animal uses a home range, marking boundaries with scent from glands near the eyes and with dung in regular spots. They dig a small hole with their front hooves for droppings and cover it afterwards. They are active mostly by day, often in the cool of morning and evening, but also at night in places with disturbance. When a threat appears, they crouch flat in the grass and stay still until the last moment, then burst away in a zigzag run.

Diet

Steenbok are mixed feeders, browsing and grazing selectively. They take herbs, tender shoots, leaves, flowers, fruit and some fresh grass, plus roots they may dig up. They choose high-quality plant parts, which suits their small size. They get much of their moisture from food and may rarely drink. Compared with large grazers such as the zebra and wildebeest, steenbok occupy a very different feeding niche.

Breeding

A single young is born and hidden in tall grass for the first weeks, with the mother returning to nurse. The camouflage of the young animal and its stillness are its main protection. Births can occur through the year, often linked to rainfall in places with seasons. Because the young are small and vulnerable, predators such as jackals, servals, eagles, pythons, leopards and cheetahs take many of them. Survival depends on cover.

Threats and Conservation

Steenbok are widespread across southern and eastern Africa and are not considered globally threatened. Local threats include snaring, hunting and conversion of grassland to farmland. They do well in protected plains where grass and cover are intact. Responsible viewing, keeping to tracks and avoiding off-road driving, protects hidden fawns and nests.

Where and How to See One

Look in short-grass areas of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater area, Masai Mara and Tarangire. Scan for a small ruddy shape standing very still, ears erect, or a head poking above grass. Early morning is best. Use binoculars and let your guide approach slowly. Combined with the plains game described in the East Africa wildlife guide, a steenbok sighting adds depth to a drive. For photos, see safari photography tips.

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