Namibia Klipspringer
Namibia Klipspringer is easily overlooked because they stand so still that they tend to melt into the rocky background. You need to be alert to spot these small animals. The hooves of the klipspringer are adapted for a rocky environment. They are very agile and leap spectacularly up steep mountain slopes. They walk on the tips of the hooves which gives them purchase on the narrowest surface and ensures that their hooves do not chip. This adaption renders them very slow on sandy soils and they are seldom seen away from rocks. Klipspringer mate for life and live in family groups with one or two off springs in a territory small enough to easily defend. The oldest offspring leaves the group shortly after the birth of the new lamb. Mountains with their high winds, fluctuating temperatures and lack of standing water in the dry season can be a daunting place in which to live. Klipspringer have adapted admirably to these conditions with kidneys which provide an exceptional economical use of water. Their coats have been uniquely modified among African antelope whereby the coarse hairs are hollow to provide lightweight, insulated protection. This dense, spongy hair was formerly prized for stuffing saddles.
|
||||
