What Is A Stotting Springbok?
The stotting springbok is a type of grazing herbivore that is found in southern Africa. Springbok herds, like those of most other herding animals, keep together for safety on the grasslands. They all tune in to detect danger and warn each other of the approach of any predators. When a predator rushes a herd of spring bok, the whole group takes flight. Instead of running away as fast as possible, some of the herd break their stride and put in some springing steps, bouncing up to three metres in the air. When they land, the resume their fast running speed. This behaviour is called stotting or pronking, which is where they get their names from. It is not known what advantage this bouncing gives them but it is likely that it is to confuse the enemy. The animals that do this do it for the good of the herd rather than for their own survival.
