Which animal is the national animal of South Africa?

The springbok is the national animal of South Africa.

The springbok is a slender antelope native to dry and open regions of southern Africa. Its name comes from Afrikaans and Dutch words meaning “jumping antelope,” referring to its distinctive pronking display. During pronking, the animal bounds with a stiff-legged gait, arches its back, and exposes the white hairs along its rump.

South Africa adopted the springbok as a national symbol because the species is strongly associated with the country’s landscapes and history. It appears on the national coat of arms and has also been used extensively in South African sporting identity, including the national rugby team’s nickname, the Springboks.

Springboks are adapted to arid environments and can obtain much of their required moisture from vegetation. They occur in countries including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Angola. The species is sometimes confused with the gemsbok, another southern African antelope, but the two have different body shapes, markings, and horn structures.