Sharpe’s grysbok (Raphicerus sharpei), also known as the northern grysbok, is a small, shy, solitary antelope that native to many African countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, and Tanzania. Their habitat consists of rocky hill country, but they prefer the lower slopes with more fertile zones. They live in woodland areas with low-growing shrubs and medium-length grass. Their conservation status is “least concern.”

Although they are widespread, they are rarely seen and are very easily frightened. Their territory is large and is marked by dung middens. They are nocturnal and are most active during the early mornings and late afternoons.

These pigmy antelopes are browsers, eating a varied diet of grass shoots, fruit, herbs, and flowers. In the dry season, their food becomes tougher but their back molars are specifically adapted to grind the tougher foodstuffs. As members of Africa’s Tiny 10 antelope collection, they are small enough to easily slip under the fences guarding cultivated crops and consume these crops, fruits, and vines at night. As a result of their thieving ways, they are seen as pests and hunted during game hunting safaris.

Sharpe’s grysbok are solitary creatures and only come together to mate together to mate. Mating can occur at any time during the year but is usually March-May. After a seven-month gestation period, one lamb is born between September and December. The male plays no role in raising the young lamb.

The antelope is preyed on by lions, leopards, hyenas, and African wild dogs. They are very timid and run away at the first sign of trouble. They move far away from perceived danger or predators and even use other animal’s burrows to hide from threats.