"Why do Springbok pronk?
Pronking is the jumping up in the air they are famous for. Various
theories exist, equating pronking to fitness displays. Most of the
pronking is done by young animals and an entertaining theory is that
they do it to see better. Springbok have large eyes and the 2 metre
jumps in the air give them a better view of the flat area they inhabit,
allowing them to see landmarks for navigation. After moving long
distances in search of food they will rapidly home (like pigeons) when
rains appear. This ability to home requires good navigation which the
younger animals need to learn, but the older animals have already learnt
- hence they pronk less. I guess if this theory is correct then pronking
should slowly reduce as the ability for springbok to migrate reduces and
they become confined to game farms."
are famous for. Various
theories exist, equating pronking to fitness displays. Most of the
pronking is done by young animals and an entertaining theory is that
they do it to see better. Springbok have large eyes and the 2 metre
jumps in the air give them a better view of the flat area they inhabit,
allowing them to see landmarks for navigation. After moving long
distances in search of food they will rapidly home (like pigeons) when
rains appear. This ability to home requires good navigation which the
younger animals need to learn, but the older animals have already learnt
- hence they pronk less. I guess if this theory is correct then pronking
should slowly reduce as the ability for springbok to migrate reduces and
they become confined to game farms."