As guides of the natural world, we are expected to know the answer to pretty much everything our senses can pick up: 

“What is that tree? What bird call is that? What is that sweet smell? Etc, etc. 

Quite frequently, however, we are left stumped by scenes unfolding in front of us. 

This is the story of such an occasion:

On a morning game drive in Zambia’s South Luangwa, we came across a scene I have seen many times while on safari. A male antelope courting a female in the hope she will allow him to mate with her. 

But then, something I’d never seen before. The male started to perform a ritual straight out of Monty Python’s "Ministry of Silly Walks”!

He began to goose-step, hitting his straight leg under the female’s belly. Quite why, I’m still not entirely sure. 

This, for me, is where the fun begins. Not knowing why an animal is behaving in a certain way always leads to the most entertaining conversations out in the bush, and offers a chance to come up with great theories, some based on facts, and others… well, not so much. 

So, why on earth is this puku (the antelope in question) smacking his straight leg under the belly of the female? 

With it being early April, and knowing that these puku antelope generally only breed from May (to ensure their offspring are born 8 months later in the wet season), perhaps this is some form of practice?

Or, potentially, the male is showing off his strength with the power of his kicks, letting the female know that it would be wise for her to stay in his territory during breeding season to ensure the best genes. 

Perhaps, as you can see in the photo above where you can see his raised lip (the flehmen grimace), he is testing if she is ready to mate and is in oestrous? 

Alternatively, it's none of the above, and it’s just a male who’s a bit confused as to how all of this works! 

So far, I haven’t been able to work out an exact reason for this behaviour, although I have also now witnessed lechwe antelope performing the same ritual (maybe there’s some link there). 

In reality, not knowing the answer is fine, the important thing is to have fun discussing potential theories while watching the beautiful oddities of nature unfolding undisturbed in front of you. 

If you have any theories, please do share!