Oribi Facts
Oribi Facts
|
| Interesting Oribi Facts: |
|---|
| Oribi can reach 45.4 inches in length and 33 to 44 pounds of weight. Females are slightly larger than males. |
| Oribi has yellowish or reddish-brown silky coat on the back. Chin, throat, breast, belly and rump are white colored. Unlike other antelopes, oribi has crescent-shaped white fur above the eyes. |
| Oribi has oval-shaped ears, elongated neck, slender legs and short, bushy tail. Males have small, pointed horns that are ringed at the base. |
| Oribi is active early in the morning and late in the afternoon. It rests during the hottest part of a day. |
| Oribi is herbivore (plant-eater). It consumes grass during the wet season and shrubs and leaves during the dry season. Oribi licks salts from the rocks to obtain all minerals that it needs. |
| Oribi hides from the predators in the tall grass. When predators approach close enough, oribi suddenly jumps out of its hiding place and tries to escape in a series of vertical leaps. Unusual jumping technique (with arched back and stiff legs) is known as "stotting". Oribi also produces shrill whistles when it is threatened. |
| Oribi can reach speed of 25 to 31 miles per hour when it needs to escape from the predators. |
| Natural enemies of oribis are leopards, lions, caracals, jackals, wild dogs, hyenas, crocodiles, pythons and eagles. |
| Oribi lives solitary life. It occasionally travels in pairs or small family groups made of usually 6 animals (one dominant males and few females with their offspring). Each group occupies territory of 25 to 100 hectares. |
| Males use glands near the eyes to mark their territories. Urine and piles of dung are used in the same purpose. |
| Oribis mate all year round (mating season reaches the peak during November and December). Most babies are born during the rainy season when food is abundant. |
| Pregnancy in females lasts 200 to 210 days and ends with one baby. |
| Baby remains hidden in the grass during the first 8 to 10 weeks of its life. After that period, it becomes ready to join the group with its mother. Young oribi depends on the mother's milk until the age of 4 to 5 months. |
| Females reach sexual maturity at the age of 10 months, males at the age of 14 months. |
| Oribi can survive up to 14 years in the captivity. |
|
Related Links: Facts Animal Facts Animals Facts |