Sharpe’s Grysbok

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Raphicerus sharpei

Sharpe’s Grysbok Ram
Sharpe’s Grysbok ewe
Sharpe’s Grysbok
Sharpe’s Grysbok
Sharpe’s Grysbok
Sharpe’s Grysbok

The little known Sharpe’s Grysbok is another of South Africa’s smaller antelope, at an average weight of 8kg and about 50cm high at the shoulder.

These grizzled antelope occur in riverine thickets and dense bushveld, often in association with rocky outcrops, and always near water. They require daily access to drinking water and are mixed feeders, browsing and grazing on leaves, young grass, shoots, roots, fruits, berries and seedpods.

Sharpe’s Grysbok
Sharpe’s Grysbok
Sharpe’s Grysbok
Sharpe’s Grysbok
Sharpe’s Grysbok
Sharpe Grysbok near Mopani

Sharpe’s Grysbok are normally seen alone, occurring in pairs only when mating or when a ewe is accompanied by her latest lamb.They’re mostly nocturnal in their habits, hiding during the day in long grass, under shrubs, between rocks and even in holes dug by other animals, especially aardvarks. They have very small home ranges, and seldom flees far before hiding in a thicket. Rams mark their areas, which overlap with the ranges of up to 4 ewes, with glandular secretions and dungpiles. Lambs are born at any time of the year, and are hidden by the ewe for up to 3 months. Sharpe’s Grysbok are preyed upon by all Africa’s large predators, from jackals, pythons and eagles to lions, and have a short life expectancy of only 6 to 10 years in the wild.

Sharpe’s Grysbok
Sharpe’s Grysbok
Sharpe’s Grysbok

The conservation status of Sharpe’s Grysbok is considered “least concern” by the IUCN, who describes it as being widespread and common with a generally stable population estimated at about 95,000, of which roughly a third occurs in formally protected areas. In South Africa, where they occur in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces, your best bet to find them are in the northern Kruger National Park, especially around Shingwedzi and Punda Maria camps.

Sharpe's Grysbok (1)

29 thoughts on “Sharpe’s Grysbok”

  2. aj vosse

    Tog te oulik!! Ek soek ‘n paar… om the gaan saam met die springbokke en duikers, en steenbokke… en… en… tyd laat ek die lotto wen!! En olifante… en leeus… en … ek droom alweer. En jagluiperde… en… en… 😉

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  3. Ladybuggz

    They remind me of Mule Deer (except the are a lot bigger), I can see these little cuties in a Petting Zoo as they are no bigger then my little 9kg Shi-itzu !!
    Their ears have to be so large like bat ears to hear, being prey to so many! Nice Photo’s!

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  9. perdebytjie

    Een van die geheimsinnige bokkies,wat mens nie maklik sien nie.Ons het op ‘n stadium elke keer as ons wildtuin toe gaan,so ‘n bokkie op dieselfde plek aangetref…daar naby Tambotie op die pad tussen Satara en Orpen.Pragtige foto’s en baie leersaam,dankie Dries.

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    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      Jy’s heeltemal reg Dina, mens sien soms jaar na jaar dieselfde grysbokkie op dieselfde plek. Waarskynlik omdat hul tuisgebiede so klein is, maar n paar honderd vierkante meter. Julle s’n by Tamboti het ons nou nog nie gesien nie, maar ons sien nou weer gereeld een daar waar die teerpad (H6) by Nwanetsi oor die koppie gaan, net na die S41 se afdraai. En dan natuurlik om Shingwedzi en Punda is mens amper gewaarborg om n paar te sien.

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  11. Pat

    There are so many animals that are able to get the moisture they need from their food I’m almost surprised to find one dependent on a local water source. It’s also nice to hear of one that’s not endangered! Good article and great pictures.

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