The activity budgets and activity patterns of sympatric grey rhebok and mountain reedbuck in a highveld grassland area of South Africa

Abstract

Behavioural observations were carried out on grey rhebok and mountain reedbuck at Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve, South Africa, for a period of 1 year between May 2001 and April 2002. Four harem herds of grey rhebok, five territorial male mountain reedbuck and female mountain reedbuck (herds grouped as one individual) were monitored to determine activity budgets and activity patterns. Both species spent more time feeding in the late afternoon during relatively cool temperatures, and more time resting in the middle of the day during relatively high temperatures. Statistical comparisons between the two species of the percentage time feeding and resting found no differences between them, although mountain reedbuck spent more time resting overall than grey rhebok. Both species were active at night.