Redunca redunca (Pallas, 1767)

Bohor Reedbuck

Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC) external link Showing: scientific names

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Redunca redunca (Pallas, 1767)

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Redunca redunca
Redunca redunca
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Table of Contents

Overview

Biology

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The bohor reedbuck is exclusively a grazer (2), that feeds on fresh green grasses and tender reed shoots (4). It generally feeds during the night when it may wander up to 8 km from its daytime shelter (2). However, during the dry season, when the quality of the grass and reeds deteriorates, feeding at night alone allows insufficient time for the reedbuck to fulfil its energetic and nutritional requirements, and thus it may continue to graze throughout the day also (2). Like other small antelope, the bohor reedbuck hides from predators rather than forming herds in defence (5). Whilst the grass and reeds of its habitat provide important shelter from predators, it can be difficult to communicate with each other in such dense surroundings, and thus the bohor has adopted leaping and whistling as effective forms of communication (2). Choruses of variable whistles are frequently herd throughout the night, and leaps, which differ in height, length and style, are a characteristic behaviour of the bohor reedbuck (2). During the wet season when food is plentiful, females and their offspring occur separately, with up to five females living within the breeding territory of a male reedbuck (3). Although, due to the changeable nature of their habitat, this is more a case of the rams defending access to the ewes, rather than defending an area, whilst the ewes seek out the best and safest pastures (2). During the dry season, these small groups merge into herds of up to ten animals (6). Courtship in the bohor reedbuck begins with the male circling the female, and making a peculiar bleating noise, described as the sound of a toy trumpet (2). Pregnancy lasts for seven months, after which a single calf is born which remains well hidden for the first two months of life (2). Male calves are driven away from the herd after six months, and form bachelor herds until they become fully mature at the age of four years. Females however, are able to breed at just one year of age (2)
"Redunca redunca (Pallas, 1767)". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/331084". Accessed 21 Mar 2010.