Southafrica | 1996 | 1 Rand | Springbok

 


 Springbok




The Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) is a swift antelope-gazelle from southwestern Africa, capable of running 100 km/h and leaping 4 m. Its name comes from Afrikaans and Dutch for “jump” and “antelope.” The species name marsupialis refers to a back flap of skin that males raise during display. When courting or deterring predators, a male performs stiff-legged jumps—called stotting or pronking—lifting the flap to fan out white hairs and release a strong scent.


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