Bohor Reedbuck: a two-minute wildlife lesson

More African Antelopes · day 3 of 7

Five facts

1. When danger comes, a bohor reedbuck usually freezes or slips into the grass. It only runs if the threat gets close, whistling to warn others.
2. Instead of marking its land with scent, a reedbuck whistles. It blows air out of its nose so hard that its whole body shakes.
3. Glands all over its skin make the bohor reedbuck's coat greasy and give it a strong smell.
4. A mother keeps her newborn hidden for up to eight weeks. She stays nearby, just 20 to 30 m away from her calf.
5. In the dry season, hundreds of bohor reedbucks may come together close to a river.

The quiz

1. What does a bohor reedbuck usually do first when it senses danger?

• Charge at the predator
• Freeze or slip into cover (correct)
• Jump into deep water
• Climb onto rocks

It usually stays still or retreats slowly into cover, and only flees if the threat is close.

2. How does a reedbuck show where its territory ends?

• By scratching trees
• By rolling in mud
• By whistling loudly (correct)
• By stamping its hooves

Instead of scent-marking, it gives a shrill whistle to mark its territory.

3. What is the bohor reedbuck's coat like?

• Spiky and hard
• Pure white
• Covered in stripes
• Greasy and strong-smelling (correct)

Glands make its coat greasy and give it a strong smell.

4. How long can a mother keep her newborn calf hidden?

• Up to eight weeks (correct)
• Just one day
• Two years
• She never hides it

Mothers keep their calves concealed for as long as eight weeks.

5. What happens to bohor reedbucks in the dry season?

• They sleep for months
• They move into caves
• Hundreds may gather near a river (correct)
• They lose their horns

Large groups of hundreds gather near rivers in the dry season.

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