The southern reedbuck is a monogamous antelope, with a pair inhabiting a territory which is defended by the male from other males (2) (3). Within this territory the southern reedbuck is active during the night and day, following regularly-used paths to reach suitable resting and grazing sites and a source of water (2) (4). Fresh grass makes up the majority of this grazing antelope's diet, often unpalatable grass species that are avoided by other antelopes, but it will also feed on herbs (2) (4). Unlike some other species inhabiting this frequently arid, hot region of Africa, the southern reedbuck needs to drink water from every few days, to several times a day during the dry season (2), sometimes resulting in up to 20 southern reedbucks congregating around a water source (4). The southern reedbuck breeds year round, although there is a peak in the summer rainy season. A single young is born after a gestation period of around eight months, and remains amongst the dense grass cover in which it was born for the next two months (2). Areas of tall grass, which provide sufficient cover during this critical time, are therefore an essential habitat requirement of the southern reedbuck (3). During this period, the female does not stay with her young, but instead visits it for just 10 to 30 minutes each day (2). Female southern reedbucks reach maturity in their second year of life, at which point they leave their parent's territory. Males, which reach maturity at a slightly older age, may remain with the family group until their third year (3). This antelope has an average lifespan of ten years (2).

An elegant antelope of Africa's grasslands, the southern reedbuck can be identified by the distinctive dark lines that run down the front of each of its forelegs and lower hindlegs (2). The colour of its coat varies between light brown to greyish-brown, often turning lighter on the neck and chest. White fur defines the underparts and area around the lips and chin, while a distinctive black patch below each ear is the site of a gland (2). The short, bushy tail is white on its underside (2). Male and female southern reedbucks can be easily distinguished as only the males bear forward-curving horns, which measure between 30 and 45 centimetres, and are ridged for most of their length except for the smooth tips (2). At the base of the horns is a band of pale, rubbery tissue (2), a feature which is unique to the reedbucks of the genus Redunca (3). The southern reedbuck makes a number of characteristic noises, including a piercing whistle through the nostrils, and a distinctive 'popping' sound, caused by the inguinal glands, heard when the southern reedbuck jumps (2) (3).

The Southern Reedbuck occurs from Gabon and Tanzania to South Africa. It remains widespread in protected areas and other areas with low to moderate levels of settlement, including significant populations on private land in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia. In Republic of Congo, it formerly occurred locally in the savannas of southern Congo, but it may now be extinct as a result of intensive meat hunting. Its presence was last confirmed in 1974 in Mount Fouari Faunal Reserve. The Namibian population is largely extralimital, as it has been introduced to private land outside its natural range in the northern farming districts, where it is now relatively numerous) (East 1999).

Lynch and Watson (1990) sighted one individual in Sehlabathebe N.P. in Lesotho, but this may have been a vagrant from KwaZulu-Natal.

Southern reedbucks, Redunca arundinum, are found across much of south central Africa. They are found in southern Congo and in southern Tanzania, throughout Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and in the northern part of South Africa. Originally, reedbucks inhabited moister areas in the southern savannas of Africa. The northern limit of their range seems to be the edge of the Miombo woodlands. They are common along seasonally flooded valleys near the Ugalla Malayarasi River system.

Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian

The southern reedbuck has a wide distribution, stretching from Gabon and Tanzania to South Africa (4).

Redunca arundinum is the largest of the three reedbuck species. On average, males weigh about 68 kg and females weigh about 48 kg. Animals range in length from 134 to 167 cm. Color in southern reedbucks is extremely variable. They can have a light yellowish brown to a gray brown coat. They have a white underside and chin with light tan streaks on the sides of the head and white rings around the eyes. There are white and black markings on the forelegs. The tail is bushy with a fluffy, white underside. Only males have horns, which emerge around the sixth month of life. The horns are strongly ridged, growing to be 30 to 45 cm in length, and form a "V". As described by Nowak (1995), they jut from the head first pointing backwards gently, then curve upward and extend out at the tip. There is a bare glandular spot in both males and females below the ears.

Range mass: 39 to 80 kg.

Average mass: 58 kg.

Range length: 134 to 167 cm.

Average length: 150 cm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: male larger; ornamentation

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

The habitat of R. arundinum consists of marshy areas that have an abundance of water and tall grasses.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland

Wetlands: marsh

Other Habitat Features: riparian

An inhabitant of moist grasslands, such as floodplains (1) (3), the southern reedbuck prefers areas of tall grass near water (2). It has also proved able to inhabit pastures, provided there is sufficient cover nearby (3).

Redunca arundinum feeds exclusively on grasses, forbs, and sedges. They hold a special ecological niche by consuming grasses that are no shorter than they are. This lessens competition greatly. They seem to prefer young grasses and tender shoots of reeds, but do not limit themselves. They only consume leaves during the winter months when the nutritional value of grasses is greatly reduced. Being foregut fermentors, grazing is followed by ruminating for a few minutes to an hour. They are mainly nocturnal except during the dry season when they may also be seen grazing during the midday. The common reedbuck is very dependent on water and according to Jungius (1971) the reedbucks found in the Kruger National Park during the dry season drink at least once a day and do not venture farther than one and a half to two km away from the water holes.

Plant Foods: leaves

Primary Diet: herbivore (Folivore )

Reedbucks play an important role in the diets of many large and small predators in Africa. They are a staple food for cheetah and, during the dry season, the leopard as well.

Cheetahs and leopards are the main predators of reedbucks. During the dry season, when they are more noticeable, predation increases. During this time they are also a prey source for wild dogs and lions. Because young reedbucks are "hidders" they are preyed upon by pythons and other small carnivores. Reedbucks have excellent hearing and use this as their main defense strategy. They stay completely still, hidden in the tall grasses using their camouflage coloration. They stay until the threat is about ten meters away and then they leap up, flashing their white cottony tail as they flea. As they pronk (high jump) away, they make loud, wheezing whistling sounds that emanate from their nose.

Known Predators:

• humans (Homo sapiens)
• leopards (Panthera pardus)
• cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)
• lions (Panthera leo)
• African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus)
• pythons (Boidae)
• servals (Leptailurus serval)
• jackals (Canis)

Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic

Redunca arundinum is prey of:
Boidae
Homo sapiens
Panthera leo
Panthera pardus
Acinonyx jubatus
Lycaon pictus
Leptailurus serval

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

A loud whistle is sounded in cases of surprise, fear, and greeting. The whistle is made by expelling air out of the nostrils. During friendly whistling, the reedbucks head is erect, ears point forward, and the tail hangs freely. During a call of surprise or fear, the reedbuck either stands very still with ears and head erect, or pronks violently hoping to scare off the intruder which it normally cannot see. While jumping or pronking there is often a popping noise that is heard that seems to come from the inguinal region which releases and scent marker.

Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical

Other Communication Modes: scent marks

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic

The average lifespan of common reedbucks is between 10 and 12 years. There have not been many studies on longevity in reedbucks. Bohor reedbucks have been known to live in captivity for 18 years.

Range lifespan

Status: wild: 10 to 12 years.

Average lifespan

Status: captivity: 10.0 years.

Maximum longevity: 16.8 years (captivity)

During mating, females perform a dance, which involves long, lingering jumps (called pronking) with the tail curved upward. During every jump, scented air is released from inguinal pockets, producing a popping noise. During courtship, a male investigates the female's genitals, and after sampling her urine with his nose, copulation occurs. Males will defend females from other males.

Mating System: monogamous

In R. arundinum breeding occurs throughout the year with a peak observed between December and May. Generally, one young is born after a 7 or 8 month gestation period. Females, when well nourished, reach sexual maturity at about two and males become mature about a year later. A few weeks before parturition, the female leaves the male and drives off young from previous years. At birth the lamb weighs only 4.5 kg. It stays hidden for about 2 months in vegetation. During this time the lamb presents itself once a day for nursing and cleaning. This takes between ten and thirty minutes. After the two months of concealment, the lamb joins its mother, but the two stay away from the male for another two months. After this, the family reunites. Females are usually sent away during their second year whereas males can stay with the family until adulthood (their third year). This is when the males begin searching for their own territory.

Breeding interval: Reedbucks breed throughout the year, with the interval depending on the nutritional status of the mother.

Breeding season: Mating occurs throughout the year but there seems to be a peak in the wet season.

Range number of offspring: 1 to 2.

Average number of offspring: 1.

Range gestation period: 7 to 8 months.

Average time to independence: Unknown months.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 24 months.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 48 months.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); fertilization ; viviparous

Average birth mass: 4500 g.

Average number of offspring: 1.

The mother reedbuck visits her offspring once a day to nurse for the first few months of its life. After this, the lamb remains with the mother. The mother and offspring keep to themselves for another few months before rejoining the male. The female reedbuck drives off her young once she is ready to give birth again.

Parental Investment: altricial ; female parental care

This is a very habitat dependent species. Habitat loss and degradation are the main factors influencing the survival of this species. Human settlement may encroach on their territory as well.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

Although southern reedbucks are widespread, and are therefore not considered to be globally threatened with extinction (1), a number of human activities have resulted in the loss of this antelope from many parts of its former range (1) (3). Unfortunately, the moist grasslands favoured by this species are also highly sought after by humans, for settlements, cultivation, overgrazing and afforestation (1) (3) (5). Furthermore, the southern reedbuck is hunted for meat and trophies (1), and is reportedly one of the easiest antelopes to approach and kill (4). This combination of habitat loss and exploitation has resulted in the species becoming rare in most of South Africa, and reduced populations to precariously low levels in West and Central Africa; those in Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo may already have been eliminated (4).

Conservation Actions

Over half the global population of southern reedbucks is thought to occur in protected areas (1), which should hopefully offer some security against the threat of habitat degradation. Due to the loss of its natural habitat in some areas, the southern reedbuck can now be found in livestock pastures. Its occurrence in this privately-owned land means that for many populations, their future relies on the actions of private land owners (3).

None known

Reedbucks are considered a game animal in much of South Africa.

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