Trivia question for Nov-27-2011

Olivia found these guys irresistible and decided to feature them for her trivia.  These are small, delicately built antelope that lives in herds, usually made up of a male and his harem of up to four females.  They live in a dangerous, open habitat but in an expert on concealing itself from predators on the ground and in the air.

These guys fall prey to numerous animals including lions, leopards, caracals, hyenas, hunting dogs, jackals, crocodiles and pythons. Young are also taken by eagles, genets and other small carnivores. They are Primarily grazers, and they prefer to eat short grasses but will browse on leaves, foliages and young shoots during the dry season. They are often seen in burnt areas after veld fires, returning to the area to eat the fresh grass shoots. To supplement its diet, mineral licks are also used.

So here are Olivia’s questions:  Tell us what this animal is called and how many scents their scent-glands are reported to contain?  Also, tell us why these guys are easy targets for poachers?

Good Luck 😉

Answer:

Congratulations goes out to our friend Sharon from Little Rock AR for being the first with the correct answer.  The little antelope we featured is known as the Oribi.  Oribi, (known as Oorbietjie in Afrikaans) are graceful slender-legged, long-necked small antelope found in grassland almost throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.

Glands in front of the male oribi antelope’s eyes are thought to contain at least 75 different scents.  The oribi is an easy target for poachers since it stops and turns around to look back when fleeing.  Here is more on these slender creatures: Oribi

Thanks for playing along 😉