Antidorcas marsupialis
South Africa's National Animal
Habitat
Dry savanna, semi-desert, grassland, and open shrubland in southern Africa
Diet
Mixed feeder
Lifespan
7–10 years (wild)
Weight
27–48 kg
The springbok is South Africa's national animal and an enduring symbol of the nation, lending its name to the country's beloved rugby team, the Springboks. This graceful antelope is famed for its extraordinary "pronking" behaviour — a spectacular display in which it leaps up to 3.5 metres into the air with an arched back and lowered head, flashing the white fur along its dorsal ridge. Scientists debate whether pronking serves to alert predators that the springbok is fit and not worth chasing, or simply as a display of exuberance.
Historically, springbok formed "trekbokken" — migrating herds of millions that moved across the South African landscape in columns stretching as far as the eye could see. While these mega-herds are now a thing of the past, springbok remain abundant across the arid and semi-arid regions of southern Africa. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on the South Africa–Botswana border is the premier destination for seeing springbok in their natural semi-desert habitat, often alongside cheetah, lion, and other Kalahari predators.
Habitat
Dry savanna, semi-desert, grassland, and open shrubland in southern Africa
Diet
Mixed feeder — grasses in wet season, browsing shrubs and succulents in dry season
Lifespan
7–10 years (wild)
Weight
27–48 kg
Springbok form mixed herds of up to several hundred individuals during the wet season, separating into smaller bachelor and nursery herds in dry months. Males establish territories during the rut, marking with dung middens and preorbital gland secretions. Their famous "pronking" display — leaping repeatedly with stiff legs and arched back — may signal fitness to predators or express excitement.
Population
Approximately 2–2.5 million across southern Africa; abundant in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Etosha National Park
Central Karoo
Mountain Zebra National Park
Year-round in the Kgalagadi and Karoo. The cooler months (May–August) see more active pronking behaviour. Lambing season (October–November) offers adorable photo opportunities.
Springbok can "pronk" up to 3.5 metres into the air — higher than an average doorway
They can reach speeds of 88 km/h, making them one of the fastest land animals
Historical "trekbokken" herds numbered in the millions and took days to pass a single point
The white dorsal crest that flares during pronking releases a sweet, honey-like scent from skin glands
South Africa's national rugby team is named after this iconic antelope
Pronking shots are the holy grail — use burst mode and a fast shutter speed (1/2000s+) to freeze the leap at its apex
The red Kalahari dunes of the Kgalagadi create stunning backdrops for springbok silhouettes
Capture herds against vast, minimalist Karoo landscapes for a sense of the wide-open South African interior
Close-up portraits showing the delicate facial markings and curved lyre-shaped horns are beautiful
Sunset and sunrise shots with pronking or running springbok create dynamic, warm-toned action images
Remote Kalahari wilderness where springbok herds share the red dunes with predators like cheetah, lion, and martial eagle.
Karoo heartland reserve where springbok roam the plains alongside cheetah — the only Big Five malaria-free reserve in the Eastern Cape.
A tranquil Karoo park with springbok, Cape mountain zebra, and breath-taking Valley of Desolation views.
Habitat conversion for agriculture, particularly in the Karoo
Fencing restricting natural movement patterns
Overgrazing by livestock reducing available habitat
Hybridisation with blesbok in some areas where ranges overlap artificially
Springbok are one of southern Africa's conservation success stories, with populations stable and abundant in protected areas. The expansion of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Karoo national parks has secured critical habitat. Game farming has also contributed to springbok numbers, with private landowners maintaining herds for ecotourism and sustainable use.
The springbok was chosen as South Africa's national animal because it is endemic to southern Africa, symbolises grace, speed, and agility, and has deep cultural significance. The Springbok rugby team adopted the name in 1906, and the animal became a powerful symbol of national identity. After the 1995 Rugby World Cup, Nelson Mandela famously wore a Springbok jersey, transforming it into a symbol of national unity.
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