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African Hunting The Black Springbok

Black springboks have graceful horns and a striking, dark coat with refined, understated markings

The springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) is a medium-sized antelope inhabiting Southern Africa. This graceful antelope is a common sight in the region and remains a popular option when hunting in Africa. The IUCN lists the springboks’ conservation status as “least concern.”

But even more picturesque than this graceful antelope, is a color variant that has been bred on South African and Namibian game farms, namely the black springbok. This black springbok is a prized game hunting trophy for hunting enthusiasts worldwide. The black springbok is not the only color variant of this elegant gazelle, with two more variants available, namely the white and copper-colored springbok.

Springbok hunting in Africa occurs in Southern Africa’s most arid regions, with Namibia and South Africa having springbok hunting adventures available. The springbok is often part of African plains game hunting packages.

Springboks are herbivores, consuming a diet of grasses, succulents, and shrubs. Springboks are water-independent and can go for days without drinking. They gain moisture by selecting a variety of flowers, seeds, and shrubs and consuming them when the plants are moisture-rich and succulent.

The springbok has a unique pronking or stotting behavior that is characterized by their ability to straighten their legs, making them rigid as they jump. This propels them high into the air as if they were bouncing along. These jumps or leaps can reach remarkable heights of up to 6 feet at a time! This, together with their speed where they reach up to 55 miles per hour, assists them in evading predators.

The springbok is prey for many predators in the wild, such as lions, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, caracals, leopards, crocodiles, pythons, and wild dogs. Juveniles are preyed on by smaller carnivores such as raptors, black-backed jackals, and African wildcats.

AT A GLANCE

Name:
Antidorcas marsupialis

Male Weight:
72-105 pounds

Male Shoulder Height:
27-35 inches

Mating:
Year-round

Gestation Period:
5-6 months

Life span:
7-9 years

Hunting Black Springbok

The black springbok is known for its quick reflexes and remarkable speed

Size and Appearance

The black springbok is characterized by its dark brown or blackish-brown coat, a striking difference from the springbok’s usual coloring of a light brown and tan coat. These medium-sized antelopes were developed by selective breeding. Both sexes have horns, with the male’s horns being thicker than the female's. In terms of size, the springbok male is slightly larger than the female, weighing 72-108 pounds compared to the female at 66-97 pounds. The male stands approximately 27-35 inches at the shoulder.

Hunting Methods

The walk-and-stalk method is utilized to target springbok when hunting in Africa. This can be a challenging endeavor, as they are extremely alert and wary antelopes, always on the lookout for threats and danger.

Challenges and Rewards

A huge reward when springbok hunting in Africa, is the opportunity to target this iconic African plains game trophy and make it your own. Springbok hunting safaris come with their own challenges, firstly the speed of the animal that is used to evade predators, and secondly, when they are scared they hunt together, making it difficult for the hunter to choose a trophy specimen.