Springbok - Double Jump

A pair of Springbok jump into the air simultaneously. As seen in the wilds of Namibia, southwestern Africa.

Springbok antelope - the name implies that they jump, or spring a lot - in Dutch and Afrikaans. This lovely antelope is extremely tough and appearances are deceiving. They can survive without water for up to 4 days. A rarity. They are adapted to desert environments, and this photo does not do true justice to their real natural surroundings (they are supposed to be in the desert).

Springbok is also the National Emblem of the South African rugby team - The Springboks. This in-itself stamps out the authority and love that this species has in Southern Africa.

The ram's horns are thicker than the ewes - so in this photo I would say the one closest to us is a young ram, probably with its mother ewe in the back. He is about to be kicked out of the herd by the dominant ram.

When it comes to mating, Springbok are rather unusual. A territorial ram will claim his "area". When a herd moves through it, he will mate. Once the herd is out of his territory, he will not follow the herd and rather allow the next territorial ram to take care of the herd.