Summary of life-history strategies of African bovids (Bovidae)
Most bovids have gestation periods of
- about 6 months in the smallest-bodied, fastest-growing spp.,
- about 7 months (relatively small-bodied spp.),
- about 9 months (relatively large-bodied spp.),
- 11 months (Syncerus caffer).
Compare the above values with
- 5 months in Phacochoerus,
- 7 months in Hippopotamus,
- 12 months in Equus quagga,
Most bovids have birth-weight percentages of about 5-10%, exceeding 10% in the most precocial spp. The values for Phacochoerus and Hippopotamus are less than this.
Most bovids reach sexual maturity at
- about 9 months in relatively small-bodied spp.,
- 1.2-1.4 years in Connochaetes,
- 2.5 years in large-bodied, slow-growing spp.,
- 2.75 years in Syncerus caffer.
Compare the above values with
- 1.5 years in Equus quagga and (check) Phacochoerus,
- 4 years in Hippopotamus (exceeding the value for Giraffa)
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