Photographs And Information On The Puku Antelope Kobus vardonii
All You Need To Know About The Puku
The Puku does not occur naturally anywhere in South Africa, and in the Southern Africa region this beautiful antelope only occurs in the top of Botswana. Knowing this, the Puku should not really be in the list of mammals of South Africa. However I have included the Puku in this list as a result of finding out that quite a few privately owned game farms and game reserves have bought Puku into the country to add to their animal species list. Another reason why I let this antelope into the list is because of the love I have for this animal. I think the Puku is one of the most beautiful antelope in Africa, especially the males (Rams). And the picture that I took of this male Puku in the Chobe National Park brings back so many good memories!
Please
click the image to view a better full scale picture of this male
Puku in the Chobe National Park in Botswana.
How Much Does A Puku Weigh?
A male Puku can weigh anything from 65kg-95kg depending on the type of habitat it occurs in, the same goes for the female Puku which is smaller and weighs between 45kg and 80kg.
The Life Expectancy Of A Puku
The Puku's life span in years in Southern Africa is unknown but I estimate it to be similar to that of The Impala, so I would say the Puku can live up to +/- 13 years of age.
What Do The Puku Eat?
The Puku antelope is mainly a grazer and feeds predominately on grass. However the Puku have been seen browsing and when they do browse they favour Acacia and other thorn trees and shrubs. The Puku is dependant on water which is essential for it's survival.
Puku's Habitat Requirements
As I am sure you have noticed the Puku photo above was taken on the floodplains of the Chobe Park and they do spend quite a lot of time on these floodplains. South Africa itself does not have a lot of floodplain habitat and so the Puku (In South Africa) prefers to stay in well watered regions near grassy plains and woodland.
When Are Puku Most Active?
The Puku is mostly active in the early morning and rests up until the late afternoon where they will continue to feed well into the darkness of the African night.
Other Interesting Facts About The Puku...
The Puku is a social antelope and females and juveniles form herds of up to 30 individuals. Male Puku are solitary and highly territorial. Other males not strong enough to challenge the territorial male Puku form bachelor herds. Females lack horns and are smaller than the male Puku. There alarm call against predators and other dangers is a repetitive whistle through the nose. The record length of a male Puku's horns is almost 60cm!
In South Africa fully mature Puku have little to fear from predators as not many predators occur on the small privately owned game farms and so they are relatively safe. Leopards still roam free around some parts of South Africa and so they will occasionally be a threat to adult Pukus. Young and Juvenile Puku will have to watch out for birds of prey, Jackals, Caracal and the African Rock Python.
