Behavioural ecology and communication in the Cape grysbok

Abstract

The behaviour of the Cape grysbok, a small antelope inhabiting the fynbos vegetation of the southern and western Cape, is described. Three wild grysbok males, fitted with radio transmitters, were observed to remain within well-defined ranges which averaged 2, 5 ha in area. These ranges were evidently defended territories, but no incidences of active territorial defence were observed. Wild grysbok spent an average of 50% of the day active and 50% inactive during winter. Fighting between captive males tended to escalate rapidly to damaging levels, and threat displays were relatively unimportant. In courtship behaviour tactile and olfactory communication were prominent, but visual displays were poorly developed. Scent marking with the preornital glands was frequent in males but rare in females. Marking was associated with agonistic encounters between males, and also tended to occur in response to novel environments. Dominant males marked more frequently than subordinates. The frequency of preorbital marking and courtship behaviour in males varied seasonally, reaching a peak in the main conception period. The distribution of births in captivity showed a peak in spring.