The Afrikaans name for this antelope means “rock jumper.” The Klipspringer, which jumps like a mountain goat among cliffs and rocky outcrops, definitely lives up to this description. One person standing motionless on top of a rock is a common sight. If you look more closely, you will always see its partner close by.

Five Interesting Facts

Both South Africa and East Africa are home to this little antelope. The Klipspringer prefers fruits, flowers, and young plants and is more of a browser than a grazer. It also enjoys rock climbing and is quite nimble. What is known about the Klipspringer, then?

Because of its thick, coarse fur, which insulates and cushions its body, klipspringers have a stocky frame. In the past, its fur was much sought after for stuffing saddlebags, which resulted in severe persecution, especially in South Africa.

Because of its cylindrical, downward-pointing hooves, a klipspringer can walk on tiptoe and has exceptional sure-footed agility on rocks.
Lifelong pairs of Klipspringers mark out a small area where one browses and the other serves as a sentry. When one partner detects danger, it lets out a sharp whistle, which is nearly instantly followed by its partner’s. After that, both will often run a short distance.

The primary predators of klipspringers are caracals and leopards, which can ambush and chase them down rocky hillsides. And the black eagles, flying overhead.
The only klipspringers with horns in southern Africa are males. However, both sexes have horns in some regions of East Africa. These populations encounter more competitive interactions, which makes this conceivable.