Raphicerus melanotis (Thunberg, 1811)

Common Name & Coat Color

Raphicerus melanotis, commonly known as the Cape grysbok, has a rough, reddish sandy coat flecked with white. Its head, neck, and legs have less white flecking and appear somewhat yellowish, while the inside of the ears, eye-rings, area around the mouth, throat, and underside are white.

Facial Markings & Glands

It has a black "bridge" across its nose and a dark scent gland located in front of the eye.

Shoulder Height & Weight

The species stands 45–55 cm (21 inches) at the shoulder and weighs 8–12 kg (slightly more than 20 pounds).

Tail Characteristics

Its short tail measures 4 to 8 cm long and is almost invisible.

Horn Characteristics

Only males have short, sharp, straight, smooth horns, which reach roughly 8 cm in length.

Defensive Fur Behavior

The Cape grysbok can fluff the fur on its rear end to make itself look larger.

Native Habitat Range

Its native habitat is the Fynbos biome of the Cape Floristic Region, where it primarily lives in thick shrubland.

Anthropogenic Habitat Use

It can sometimes be found browsing in orchards and vineyards. In the Cape Peninsula, it occurs along urban edges near human activity.

Additional Habitats

It may also inhabit reed beds and riverbeds in the southern Karoo.