The pairbond in klipspringer

Like many small African antelopes, klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus) live in territorial pairs. The structure of the pairbond and the ways in which it is maintained through time are described quantitatively, using data on co-ordination of behaviour, activity budgets, progression orders and visual monitoring. Although both partners play an active role, the female's behaviour tends to be more concerned with efficient foraging, while the male's behaviour seems to emphasize those activities that allow him to maintain, contact with the female. Because the male needs to spend less time feeding than does the female, he detects predators more frequently, a behaviour that probably allows the female to feed more efficiently. Both sexes apparently defend the territory against intruders, although the functional significance of the territory remains unclear. © 1980.