Steenbok in summer grass

For the uninitiated, grassland may appear monotonous until they become aware of the animal surprises that may have been watching them yawn. This Lowveld steenbok resting in February grass is one of the most delightful that may suddenly be encountered to liven up matters. This guy may have a hornless female mate not too far away, but only during mating season. Not confined to grassland only, steenbok lives in varied open terrain with a little bushy extras for shelter, mostly avoiding extended areas of dense bush or mountain.

Some white is present around the eyes, nose and mouth. The breast and underside are also white.  The long whitish hairs inside the black-rimmed ears must be useful to keep insects and airborne objects out. It’s one thing to get a hoof to the ear for a little scratch when there is itching. Removing foreign object irritations from inside an ear is beyond hoof capacity.

The large ears obliquely angled up sideways have already registered the warning of the vehicle approaching some time ago. But experience has taught it that cars stop harmlessly in this modern, game reserve infested world. People point and exclaim, but no worries. No getting up is required. Full alertness will remain, however, until the uninvited irritation has moved on.

Real danger, the predatory, life-threatening worries of the species include leopards, the smaller cats of the wild, jackals, spotted hyaenas, pythons and martial eagles (Riëtte, 2016; iNaturalist).