BROWSE INTAKE RATES BY BUSHBUCK (TRAGELAPHUS-SCRIPTUS) AND BOER-GOATS(CAPRA-HIRCUS)

Foraging efficiencies of bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas) and bo ergoats (Capm hircus Linnaeus) were evaluated in terms of browse intak e rates attained when foraging from a selection of Valley Bushveld pla nts, Intake rates were calculated as the product of bite size and bite rate. Boergoats were capable of greater bite sizes and bite rates and were therefore more efficient foragers in terms of intake rates. Inta ke rates increased with increasing bite size and conformed to an asymp totic relationship, while bite rates declined with increasing bite siz es. Plant spinescence and fibre content influenced the intake rates of both species.