Overview
A brief flash of movement in the thicket may be the only sign that a bushbuck was ever there. Quiet, watchful and remarkably well camouflaged, the Cape bushbuck is one of Tanzania’s most secretive antelope.
Bushbucks favour dense vegetation, including riverine forest, woodland edges and thick bush, where they can remain close to cover. Males are larger and darker, with spiralled horns and bold white markings, while females are smaller, lighter in colour and hornless.
Unlike many antelope, bushbucks do not form large herds. They are usually encountered alone, as a female with her calf or occasionally as several individuals feeding near one another. Their preference for dense cover allows them to occupy habitats that larger grazing animals often avoid.
Behaviour & How to Identify
Look for a compact antelope with large rounded ears, white spots and stripes, and a slightly hunched appearance. Coat colour varies considerably between individuals and regions. Adult males are usually dark brown or grey-brown, while females tend to be reddish or golden brown.
Only males carry horns. These are relatively straight, with a gentle spiral and sharp tips, and can reach around half a metre in length. Both sexes have white markings on the throat, legs, flanks and face, although their pattern and intensity vary.
Bushbucks are mostly active around dusk, dawn and during the night, spending the hotter daylight hours concealed in thick vegetation. When disturbed, one may remain motionless and rely on camouflage before slipping quietly into cover. If danger comes too close, it can bound away rapidly through surprisingly dense undergrowth.
Although often described as solitary, bushbucks are not strongly territorial. Their home ranges can overlap, and several animals may feed near one another where food and cover are plentiful.
Interesting facts
Bushbucks are strong swimmers. They readily cross rivers and may enter water to escape danger.
Their alarm call sounds like a dog’s bark. The sudden, explosive call can be startling when it comes from dense vegetation.
Bushbuck calves spend their early lives hidden. The mother leaves her calf concealed in thick cover and returns regularly to nurse it until it is strong enough to follow her.