The Grey Rhebok is endemic to a small region in southern Africa, inhabiting montane and plateau grasslands of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. In South Africa, their distribution is discontinuous and patchy, and they no longer occur north of the Orange River in the Northern Cape, or in parts of the North West Province. They formerly occurred widely in the highveld of western Swaziland, but have disappeared from parts of their former range; they remain fairly common in Malolotja Nature Reserve and still survive locally in unprotected areas. In Lesotho, they probably occurred widely in the past, but have been reduced to a few scattered remnant populations. It responded well to protection in Sehlabathebe National Park in the 1980s (East 1999; Avenant in press).

Although believed to have occurred formerly in hilly country around Gaborone in south-east Botswana, there is no conclusive evidence for their presence in this country (Smithers 1971).

Pelea capreolus lives throughout South Africa, mainly in upland areas but descending onto sand dunes in the Cape. They are most numerous in strongly seasonal pastures above 1,000m, staying on the heights during rain but descending to lower slopes when during dry weather (Kingdon, 1997).

Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )

P. capreolus is 1.15 to 1.25 m in length and weighs about 20 to 30 kilograms. The body is covered by hair that is woollier and curlier than that of all other antelopes, which may be a reason P. capreolus is often mistaken as a mountain goat. The upper parts are brownish gray, the face and legs are yellowish, and the underparts of the body and the tail are white (Grzimek, 1990). P. capreolus can be easily distinguished by its extremely long, pointed erect ears and by the absence of a bare patch below the ear. The animal's long narrow muzzle ends with a small mouth. P. capreolus has a swollen forehead and black-lidded eyes that are very prominent against a white surround (Kingdon, 1997). The horns, only found in males, are straight or slightly bent forward, upright, and 200-250mm in length. A naked area around the nostrils extends to the top of the nose and is swollen. It becomes studded with moisture when the animal is excited. Females have four mammae (Nowak, 2001).

Range mass: 20 to 30 kg.

Range length: 1150 to 1250 mm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

P. capreolus lives among rocks and tangled growth on mountain sides and plateaus, but where protected, it will venture to grassy valleys. It probably frequented such valleys regularly before being driven out by human activity (Nowak, 2001). Young tend to lie concealed away from mother, hidden in rocks, caves, or bushes (Grzimek, 1990).

Terrestrial Biomes: scrub forest

This species is predominantly a browser. Faecal analysis showed that dicotyledons comprised of 88 percent of its diet, with over 90 percent dicotyledons in winter and dicotyledon consumption declining by 10 percent in summer (Mills, 1997). The Vaal Rhebuck's diet consists of grasses and leaves (Nowak, 2001).

Primary Diet: herbivore (Folivore )

P. capreolus is prey for large predators of the African savannah. P. capreolus is also a host for many parasites, including lice, fleas and ticks (Horak, 1983). P. capreolus also is a consumer of grass and leaves of the African savannah and low mountains.

An appointed sentinel of the group watches for signs of danger, and when a threat is discovered, makes a cough-like grunt to alert the rest of the group. It then leads the group to less accessible ground (Nowak, 2001). The rhebuck has a jerky, rocking gait, which makes it hard for predators to capture. It is an agile climber and a good jumper. Also, males are extremely aggressive and are good defenders of their group (Palmer, 1988).

Known Predators:

• lions (Panthera leo)
• leopards (Panthera pardus)
• hyenas (Hyaeninae)
• cape hunting dogs (Lycaon pictus)
• pythons (Boidae)
• jackals (Canis)

Pelea capreolus is prey of:
Boidae
Panthera leo
Panthera pardus
Lycaon pictus
Hyaeninae

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

In the wild, P. capreolus has been reported to live 8-10 years. In captivity P. capreolus does not thrive and is rarely found in captivity (Nowak, 2001).

Average lifespan

Status: wild: 10.0 years.

Observations: In the wild, these animals live up to 10 years (Bernhard Grzimek 1990). One captive specimen lived for 12.3 years (Richard Weigl 2005). Because they do not thrive in captivity (Ronald Nowak 1999), it is possible that their maximum longevity is underestimated.

Generally one male travels with a group of females and defends the group from other intruding males. Harem defense includes postural displays, snorting and stamping, and serious fighting (Kingdon, 1997). Males that are unable to win or maintain a territory are frequently solitary. Generally one member of each group acts as a sentinel while others feed or rest. If danger appears, the sentinel gives a warning grunt and leads the herd to more rugged country. Males are extraordinarily aggresive, often killing others of their sex during the rutting season and even killing and attacking sheep and goats.

Mating System: polygynous

Mating takes place for P. capreolus in April, when males fight over females. Births occur in November and December, early in the warm, wet season (Nowak, 2001). The single calf which is born generally is hidden away from the mother for the first few months of its life. Males become mature in about 18-21 months and then leave their group and begin to try to establish their own territory (Nowak, 2001).

Breeding season: April

Range number of offspring: 1 (low) .

Average number of offspring: 1.

Average gestation period: 8.7 months.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 18 to 21 months.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 18 to 21 months.

Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual

Average gestation period: 261 days.

Average number of offspring: 1.

Parental Investment: altricial ; female parental care ; post-independence association with parents

US Migratory Bird Act: no special status

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

Conservation Actions

Positive Impacts: food ; body parts are source of valuable material