Cape grysbok
Scientific name: Raphicerus melanotis
- How weight is recorded: Carcass weight
Field notes
Appearance
Rufous-brown coat with darker dorsal stripe running from head to rump. Small, delicate antelope with males bearing short, straight horns; females hornless. Distinctive dark ears and pale underparts.
Size and weight
Males 3.5–5.5 kg, females 3–4.5 kg. Body length 45–55 cm.
Habitat
Dense scrub, thickets, and rocky outcrops in arid to semi-arid regions. Found from sea level to approximately 2,000 m altitude.
Distribution
Endemic to southern Africa, primarily in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa. Inhabits fynbos, karoo scrubland, and rocky hillsides.
Diet
Primarily browse on leaves, shrubs, and forbs; occasionally grazes on green vegetation after rain. Diet shifts seasonally toward available green growth.
Behaviour
Crepuscular and nocturnal; most active at dawn and dusk. Solitary or in pairs; territorial males occupy small home ranges. Uses dense cover for concealment and moves cautiously between feeding areas.
Hunting tips
Look for small, paired hoof prints and tiny pellet droppings in soft soil near dense cover. Approach upwind along rocky terrain to mask movement and scent. Glass likely browse areas during low-light periods; stalk slowly toward bedding thickets, expecting the animal to bolt only when very closely approached.
Carcass weight
This species is logged by carcass weight — the animal weighed dressed, the way hunting teams normally report it.
Where it is hunted
Listed as huntable in 1 country in Huntify.
Names in other languages
Current language: en
These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.