Springboks Antelopes vs Cheetahs | Wild Africa | BBC Earth

BBC Earth


Summary

Springbok are desert antelopes in Africa with short, thin fur that helps them regulate heat by sweating. They can survive in deserts by extracting moisture from plants, never needing to drink water. Their white coat patterns reflect solar radiation, making them efficient in hot climates. In southern Africa, cheetahs prey on springbok herds and must rely on speed to catch them, while the springbok's keen senses and leaping abilities help them evade predators.


Introduction to Springbok

Springbok, the most successful desert antelopes in Africa, have short thin fur that helps them offload heat by sweating. They can extract all the moisture they need from desert plants and never need to drink. White patterns on their coats reflect solar radiation.

Challenge for Springbok

In southern Africa's deserts, cheetahs lurk and shadow the springbok herds. Cheetahs, thinly furred and lightly built, are sprinters designed for speed and must get close to their prey. Springbok, with keen senses and the ability to leap two meters high, signal warnings to others and confuse attackers.


FAQ

Q: What adaptation do springbok have to help them survive in the desert?

A: Springbok have short thin fur that helps them offload heat by sweating and can extract all the moisture they need from desert plants.

Q: How do white patterns on springbok coats help them in the desert?

A: White patterns on springbok coats reflect solar radiation, helping them regulate their body temperature in the hot desert environment.

Q: What is the behavior of cheetahs towards springbok in southern Africa's deserts?

A: Cheetahs lurk and shadow the springbok herds in southern Africa's deserts, as they are predators designed for speed and need to get close to their prey.

Q: How do springbok signal warnings to others and confuse attackers?

A: Springbok use their keen senses and the ability to leap two meters high to signal warnings to others and confuse attackers, helping them evade potential threats.

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