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Sharpe's grysbok
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Today again a new one for TN as I think this one has not been posted before on TN,we found a couple of these grysbok's on our morning drive from shingwedzi restcamp on the S52 while driving to redrocks,the river Nkayini,was almost totally dry and the wildlife on this route was rather sparse this morning,luckily we did not drive to fast and spotted a couple of sharpe's grysboks in the bushes,they are quite small and well camouflaged so we were actually quite lucky to notice them,hope you like it and thanks for you visit
Sharpe's Grysbok
Sharpe's or Northern Grysbok (Raphicerus sharpei) is a small, shy, solitary antelope of south-eastern Africa—Transvaal (South Africa), Caprivi Strip (Namibia), Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania to Lake Victoria.
It is similar in size to the Gray Duiker, but has a stockier body and elongated fur over the hindquarters. It stands about 20" (45–60 cm) at the shoulders and weighs only 7–11.5 kg. Its coat is reddish-brown which is streaked with white; eye-rings, around mouth, throat and underside are off-white. The males have stubby horns, which are widely spaced. Sharpe's Grysbok has a short deep muzzle with large mouth and heavy molar (grinding) teeth. The short neck and face on a long-legged body result in a high-rump posture when browsing.
Although its territorial range is large, Sharpe's Grysbok is infrequently seen. Males and females seem to form brief associations, but the species is usually encountered singly. Territory is marked with dung middens. Their habitat is rocky hill country, but preferring fertile zones on the lower slopes. They are nocturnal browsers and spend the day in the protective cover of tall grass or shrubs. They are extremely timid and will run away at the first sign of anything unusual, although this flight is accompanied "short stamping hops"; they move well away from where the disturbance occurred before stopping (unlike Steenbok, which stop and look back). Sharpe's Grysbok are reported to take refuge in Aardvark burrows, like Steenbok.
Sharpe's Grysbok browse on leaves, buds, herb and fruits—in the dry season, their food is typically tough (for which their teeth and jaws are adapted). Grazed grass makes up about 30% of their diet.
The closely related Cape (or Southern) Grysbok (R. melanotis) occurs in the western Cape region. Haltenorth and Diller consider sharpei as a subspecies of melanotis |
carper, nglen, sandpiper2, vanderschelden, LiBuMa has marked this note useful
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- carper
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1973 W: 119 N: 2582]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(8439) - [2008-11-10 10:37]
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mooie foto Paul,
schitterende capture, goed genomen wild shot, prachtig in beeld gebracht, goede compositie. prachtig foto werk hier, prettige avond.
groet Jaap
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- nglen
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(36145) - [2008-11-10 10:59]
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Hi Paul . Congrats of a first for Tn with this cute little animal. Its not one i have every heard of , You have captured a good close up showing good detail in the lomg rough looking coat and face. with natural looking colours. well done TFS.
Nick..
Hi Paul,
Very nice capture of this cute antelope. Good pose and composition, natural BG, sharp details and warn natural colours.
TFS
Pekka
nice portrait, TFS Ori
hello paul,
congratulations for posting the first grysbok here, this is a fine capture of the animal in its natural habitat, the image is sharp, the composition is good and the colors are natural,
well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj
Hi Paul
Looks like you were lucky to catch these small mammals I've not seen before.
Great shot in their natural habitat. Good composition and sharpness.
Chris
Hall Paul,
Er komt blijkbaar geen einde aan de show...
Heel mooie plaat en alweer ééntje dat ik niet gespot heb.
Filmpje van de cheetah familie was heel mooi en de andere ook trouwens. Ook al filmervaring dus...
Annick
