antelope | mammal | Britannica.com Antelope springbok Antelope, any of numerous Old World grazing and browsing hoofed mammals belonging to the family Bovidae (order Artiodactyla ). Antelopes account for over two-thirds of the approximately 135 species of hollow-horned ruminants (cud chewers) in the family Bovidae, which also includes cattle , sheep , and goats . One antelope, the Indian blackbuck , bears the Latin name Antilope cervicapra; nevertheless, antelope is not a taxonomic name but a catchall term for an astonishing variety of ruminating ungulates ranging in size from the diminutive royal antelope (2 kg [4 pounds]) to the giant eland (800 kg [1,800 pounds]). (The North American pronghorn antelope looks and acts much like a gazelle but belongs in a separate family, the Antilocapridae.) Africa, with some 71 species, is the continent of antelopes. Only 14 species inhabit the entire continent of Asia, and all but three of them are members of the gazelle tribe (Antilopini).

Seven different kinds of antelopes: the gerenuk (Litocranius walleri), the impala … Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Appearance and behaviour As in all of Bovidae, all male antelopes have horns , which range from the short spikes of duikers to the corkscrew horns (more than 160 cm [63 inches] long) of the greater kudu . Two-thirds of female antelopes bear horns; they are invariably thinner and usually shorter than those of the male. In gregarious species in which both sexes regularly associate in mixed herds, the horns are similarly shaped, and in female oryxes and elands they are often longer. Zebra duiker (Cephalophus zebra). artiodactyl: Antelopes have adapted to many different ecological niches and so vary in their size, shape, locomotion, diet, social organization, and antipredator strategy. Despite the diversity of adaptations , one important generalization can be made: there is a marked difference between antelopes of closed habitats and those of open habitats.

The former (e.g., duikers, reedbucks , and bushbucks ) are mostly small to medium-sized animals adapted for movement through undergrowth, with overdeveloped hindquarters, a rounded back, and short legs. This conformation is adapted to quick starts and a bounding, dodging run, which is how cover-dependent antelopes whose first line of defense is concealment try to escape predators that chance to find them. Their coloration is camouflaging. They are solitary, living alone or in mated pairs on home ranges defended as territories, and they are browsers of foliage rather than grazers of grass. By contrast, antelopes of open habitats are mostly medium to large grass eaters. They are built for speed, having level backs with long, equally developed limbs (or with higher shoulders, as in the hartebeest tribe). Their coloration is revealing. They have a gregarious social organization and a mating system based on male territoriality (except in the kudu tribe). Bohor reedbucks (Redunca redunca). Ringling Bros.

Folds Its Tent Taxonomists assign antelopes to three subfamilies and 10 tribes that differ from one another as much as cattle (tribe Bovini) differ from sheep and goats (tribe Caprini). Yet antelopes are linked to both cattle and goats: the spiral-horned antelopes (tribe Tragelaphini, which includes the oxlike eland), are placed in the subfamily Bovinae together with cattle and the tribe Boselaphini, which includes the big nilgai and the little four-horned antelope. Although gazelles and their allies (including the blackbuck) are placed in a different subfamily (Antilopinae) from sheep and goats (Caprinae), several Asian bovids that look and behave like antelopes have been shown by DNA evidence to be caprines, notably the chiru , or Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsoni), while three species, the Mongolian gazelle, the Tibetan gazelle, and Przewalski’s gazelle, were placed in the genus Procapra for their caprine affinities . Common eland (Taurotragus oryx).

antelope - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up) The term antelope is zoologically somewhat imprecise. It refers to a variety of cud-chewing hoofed animals. Antelopes belong to the family Bovidae, which also includes cattle, sheep, and goats. Of the Bovidae, there are about 50 kinds of animals considered antelopes, such as the gazelle, the impala, and the wildebeest. (The North American pronghorn antelope looks and acts much like a gazelle but is not closely related to the antelopes. It belongs in a separate family, the Antilocapridae.) Most antelopes are native to Africa. Along with general similarities in appearance, all antelopes are browsing and grazing animals. Article Contributors Antelope in Zambia Antelope Bushbuck The elusive bushbuck with its striped back and spotted flanks are one of the prettier antelope, but being solitary and preferring to inhabit areas of dense cover, they are not seen very often and if one does, they scurry away quickly. They browse on foliage and fruit and sometimes remain for hours beneath certain flowering trees, especially the sausage tree (Kigelia africana).

Duiker Three kinds of duiker occur in Zambia. The Yellow-backed Duiker is the largest of the three with backward directed horns in line with their nose profile. A dark brown coat with a conspicuous yellow patch on the lower back and rump, the hairs upon which rise when alarmed. They move alone in dense thickets and forests. This antelope is very rarely seen as it is mainly nocturnal. The Blue Duiker also has backward pointing horns but is much smaller and greyish brown in colour. They browse on leaves and small fruit and are also rarely seen. The Common Duiker is usually seen on the move in the early morning or evening in scrub country or in woodland. It hides during the heat of the day in patches of thick vegetation. It has a very characteristic way of running in a zig zag fashion interspersed by plunging leaps. Eland Eland are graceful animals, with their large pendulous dewlap and pale fawn colour. The largest of the antelope found in Zambia, the eland can weigh up to 680 kg. Their weight however, does not hamper them from jumping, virtually from a standing position to a height of more than two meters (7 ft).

Both sexes have horns in a short outward an upward twist, which are important for feeding. To collect twigs they grasp them between the stalks, breaking them loose with a shake of their head and powerful neck. A shy animal that runs at the slightest disturbance, perhaps because they have always been hunted in Africa, especially by the San tribe, who worshipped them, eating them as Catholics do communion. They move in medium sized herds and old bulls tend to be solitary. Impala The most numerous animal in the bigger National Parks, impalas are gregarious moving in large herds. They are mixed feeders and eat mainly grass in the wet season and leaves as the dry season progresses. They can also be found eating the fallen red fleshly flowers of the sausage tree. During the rutting period the males are very noisy emitting loud grunting sounds whilst they fight and display, in the process of sorting out their hierarchy, terminating in the dominant male taking over a harem of twenty or more ewes. They have a well defined lambing season starting at the end of October and in the following weeks, nearly every ewe is seen with a baby.

Impala have an unusual tuft of black hair covering a scent gland on the hind legs, above the hooves. To escape their pursuers they employ a confusing, zig zag escape route, with sudden directional changes and exceptionally high leaps making it difficult for the pursuing attacker to strike. Klipspringer Living on rocky outcrops and on mountan sides, these small antelope with short pointy horns occur sparsely in the Muchinga escarpment of the Luangwa Valley and occasionally in the north of the country. It bounces on the tips of its rubbery hooves as it walks, making it’s very long legs look even longer. Unlike the coat of other African antelope, their olive-yellow coat speckled with grey is stiff and brittle serving as a cushion to ward off the shocks of hitting rock walls as they jump. They browse on herbs and shrubs and drink water when it is available but can draw enough water from their food. Kudu A very beautiful antelope with long twisting spiralled horns displayed by the males. They are usually seen in small groups and occasionally males can be solitary or in bachelor parties. They are purely browsers and not known to eat grass.

Being very fond of the evergreen Trichelia emetica, where these trees occur, there is a very distinct ‘browse line’ as if they’ve been pruned by clippers. Despite their impressive weight they can easily clear 2 meters (7ft) when jumping. Their acute hearing is accentuated by an ability to turn their large rounded ears in almost any direction. Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest Found in the northern parts of the country in small numbers, this light fawn coloured antelope prefers miombo woodland habitats and feeds exclusively on grass. It can sometimes be seen on the floodplains towards the end of the dry season seeking new pastures Lechwe A semi-aquatic antelope often moving in very large herds of several hundred. They graze knee-deep on the flood plain grasses. They have long thin horns going backwards and upwards. There are three kinds of lechwe found in Zambia. The Black Lechwe is the darkest of the three, with has rich blackish brown coat and is found only in the Bangweulu swamps. The Kafue Lechwe has larger and longer horns than the other two species with dark shoulder patches and a light brown coat.

It is found in the floodplains of Lochinvar. The Red Lechwe found in the Busanga area of Kafue National Park is yellowish-red in colour and dark-brown markings on the legs. Oribi Found occasionally in the Luangwa Valley, more often in the Bangweulu Swamps and quite common in Kafue and Lochinvar National Parks. They are distinguished by the bare black glandular patches below their large oval shaped ears. They like to graze on open plains and dambos and have a characteristic ‘stotting’ action when alarmed, jumping into the air with all four legs held stiff and straight. Some experts believe this may be done to give them a better view of approaching predators but it is more likely they are trying to entice the predator to chase and so divert attention from the herd. Puku Plentiful in Luangwa and Zambezi Valley, these furry orange antelope with thick, heavily ringed V shaped horns, are gregarious and graze along the floodplains near permanent water. They have limited distribution in Africa, confined to the area drained by the Zambezi and its tributaries and a few isolated pockets in Tanzania.

They move in herds of up to thirty or so. Reedbuck Common in Kafue but scarce in the other parks, the reedbuck is a gregarious animal moving in family groups of three to five. They are found in dambos and other open grassy areas. They have a characteristic ‘rocking horse’ action ; the tail is turned up to expose the white ventral surface, and they whistle at each jump forward. Roan Common in Luangwa but scarce in the other Parks, roan are a large light brown antelope with ringed horns, rising upwards and backwards in a small arch. They move in herds but bulls may be solitary, staying near dambos, light woodland and open plains. Sable The most handsome of the antelopes, with a deep brown coat and long backward arching horns. Adult males have a deep glossy black coat and with the pronounced curve of their long horns are a very striking animals. They are fairly common in Kafue but scarce in the other parks. Sharpe’s Grysbok A tiny solitary antelope with short pointy horns only 3-5cm long. It favours thickets and feeds on the leaves of low growing shrubs.

Not often seen due to its shy and nocturnal habits. Distinguished from the duiker of the same size in that it runs smoothly not in zig zag, with body and head held low. Often seen on night drives in the South Luangwa National Park. Steenbuck This small antelope with straight upward pointing horns and a lush rufous coat can be seen in light woodland where it browses and grazes. It often eludes it’s predators by darting down old burrows. Sitatunga A beautiful reddish brown animal with twisted backward pointing horns, faint white strips on the back and white spots on the flanks and cheeks. A true aquatic antelope found only in swamp grasses having specially adapted long pointy hooves to support them on marshy soil. Found in the Busanga area of Kafue National Park, the floodplains of Lochinvar and Kasanka. Tsessebe The fastest of the antelope, Tsessebe are found only in the Bangweulu Swamp region. These rare antelope have a smooth reddish brown coat with a light fawn belly and a tasselled tail. They graze on open plains.

Waterbuck The waterbuck has a long-haired, often shaggy brown-gray coat that emits a smelly, greasy secretion thought to be for waterproofing. They have pronounced U shape horns. Two subspecies of waterbuck occur in Zambia. In the Luangwa and Lower Zambezi Vallies they are distinguished by the white ring on their rump (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) whereas those in the Kafue have a solid white patch on the rump.(Kobus defassa). They move in fairly big herds near dambos and on aquatic grassland but always close to woodland or thicket. Hyenas, lions, and leopards are the major predators, but crocodiles, hunting dogs and cheetahs also take waterbuck. Wildebeest Cookson’s Wildebeest occurs in the northern part of Luangwa Valley and the Blue Wildebeest in the Western Province. In November every year, enormous herds migrate across the Luiwa plains. Their young are born a reddish-brown and can stand within minutes of birth. They take on their mature colour after two months.

They move in large herds headed by one to three bulls that trot around the group in their peculiar, head high, rocking gait, forcing the herd into a tight mass. Wildlife in Namibia – medium and small antelope Medium and small antelope in Namibia include bushbuck, marked with white spots and stripes... Wildlife in Namibia - Medium and small antelope For many visitors, a key reason to travel to Namibia is the country's outstanding wildlife. Below you'll find a list of some of Namibia's medium and small antelope – each with a short description, highlighting aspects that are specific to Namibia. Most of the comments are taken from the Bradt guide to Namibia, which is written by one of our team members. Bushbuck - Tragelaphus scriptus Shoulder height 70–80cm. Weight 30–45kg. This attractive antelope, a member of the same genus as the kudu, is widespread throughout Africa and shows great regional variation in its colouring. It occurs in forest and riverine woodland, where it is normally seen singly or in pairs. The male is dark brown or chestnut, while the much smaller female is generally a pale reddish brown.

The male has relatively small, straight horns and both sexes are marked with white spots and sometimes stripes, though the stripes are often indistinct. In Namibia they have a very limited distribution around the Okavango River in Mahango National Park, and beside the Chobe and Kwando rivers on the eastern side of the Caprivi Strip . Impala - Aepeceros melampus Shoulder height 90cm. Weight 45kg. This slender, handsome antelope is superficially similar to the springbok, but in fact belongs to its own separate family. Chestnut in colour, and lighter underneath than above, the impala has diagnostic black and white stripes running down its rump and tail, and the male has large lyre-shaped horns. The impala is one of the most widespread and successful antelope species in East and southern Africa, although it is absent from much of Namibia. However, a separate subspecies, the black-faced impala A. m. petersi, occurs in Etosha National Park , the Kaokovelt and southern Angola. This is almost identical to the normal impala, and distinguished only by extra black stripes on its face, including a prominent one down the front of its nose.

Springbok - Antidorcas marsupilis Shoulder height 60cm. Weight 20–25kg. Springbok are graceful, relatively small antelope – members of the gazelle family – which generally occur in large herds. They have finely marked short coats: fawn-brown upper parts and a white belly, separated by a dark brown band. Springbok occur throughout Namibia; they are often the most common small antelope. They can be seen by the thousand in Etosha . They favour dry, open country, preferring open plains or savannah, and avoiding thick woodlands and mountains. They can subsist without water for long periods, if there is moisture in the plants they graze or browse; I have even seen springbok amongst the dunes at Sossusvlei on occasions, in the Namib-Naukluft Park . Reedbuck - Redunca arundinum Shoulder height 80–90cm. Weight 45–65kg.

Sometimes referred to as the southern reedbuck (as distinct from mountain and Bohor reedbucks, found further east), these delicate antelope are uniformly fawn or grey in colour, and lighter below than above. They are generally found in reedbeds and tall grasslands, often beside rivers, and are easily identified by their loud, whistling alarm call and distinctive bounding running style. In Namibia they occur only on the Caprivi Strip and a few riverine areas in the far north. Klipspringer - Oreotragus oreotragus Shoulder height 60cm. Weight 13kg. The klipspringer is a strongly built little antelope, normally seen in pairs, and easily identified by its dark, bristly grey-yellow coat, slightly speckled appearance and unique habitat preference. Klipspringer means 'rockjumper' in Afrikaans and it is an apt name for an antelope which occurs exclusively in mountainous areas and rocky outcrops from Cape Town to the Red Sea.

They are common throughout Namibia, wherever rocky hills or kopjes are found – which means most of the central highlands and western escarpment, but not in the far north or the Caprivi Strip . Good places to look for klipspringers include Erongo Wilderness Lodge , Damaraland Camp , Huab Lodge and Etendeka . Lechwe - Kobus leche Shoulder height 90–100cm. Weight 80–100kg. Otherwise known as the red lechwe, this sturdy, shaggy antelope has a reddish coat and beautiful lyre-shaped horns. They are usually found only in moist, open environments and in Namibia they are found only beside the great rivers of the Caprivi Strip . Lechwe need dry land on which to rest, but otherwise will spend much of their time grazing on grasses and sedges, standing in water if necessary. Their hooves are splayed, adapted to bounding through their muddy environment when fleeing from the lion, hyena and wild dog that hunt them. Steenbok - Raphicerus cempestris Shoulder height 50cm. Weight 11kg.

This rather nondescript small antelope has red-brown upper parts and clear white underparts, and the male has short straight horns. It is probably the most commonly observed small antelope; if you see a small antelope fleeing from you across farmland in Namibia, it is likely to be a steenbok. Like most other small antelopes, the steenbok is normally encountered singly or in pairs and tends to 'freeze' when disturbed, before taking flight. Sharpe's grysbok - Raphicerus sharpie Sharpe's grysbok is similar in size and appearance, though it has a distinctive white-flecked coat. It occurs alongside the steenbok in the far eastern reaches of the Caprivi Strip , but is almost entirely nocturnal in its habits and so very seldom seen. Oribi - Ourebia ourebi The Oribi is a widespread but very uncommon antelope, which is usually found only in large, open stretches of grassland. It looks much like a steenbok but stands about 10cm higher at the shoulder and has an altogether more upright bearing.

In Namibia you have a chance of seeing these only on the Caprivi Strip , and you'll need to look hard. Damara dik-dik - Madoqua kirki The Damara dik-dik occurs in central-north Namibia, Etosha and the Kaokoland , as well as parts of East Africa where it is known as Kirk's dik-dik. It is Namibia's smallest antelope; easily identified from steenbok by its much smaller size. It is adapted to arid areas and prefers a mixture of bushes and spare grassland cover. Damara dik-diks are particularly common in Etosha National Park , and will often sit motionless beside the road whilst they are passed by without ever being seen. They are active during the cooler hours of the day as well as the night and are almost exclusively browsers. Common duiker - Sylvicapra grimmia Shoulder height 50cm. Weight 20kg. This anomalous duiker holds itself more like a steenbok or grysbok and is the only member of its (large) family to occur outside of forests.

Generally grey in colour, the common duiker can most easily be separated from other small antelopes by the black tuft of hair that sticks up between its horns. It occurs throughout Namibia, everywhere except the Namib Desert. Common duikers tolerate most habitats except for true forest and very open country, and are tolerant of nearby human settlements. They are opportunist feeders, taking fruit, seeds, and leaves, as well as crops, small reptiles and amphibians. Enquire now TANZANIA, WILDLIFE - BOVIDS Cape Buffalo Africa’s only wild ox and largest bovid, the Cape buffalo is a close relative of the similar-looking Asian water buffalo, and thus of domestic cattle. Weighing up to 800kg, this gregarious herd animal has few natural enemies, though it does form an important prey item for large lion prides in certain areas – with the lion sometimes coming off second best in a confrontation. Buffaloes are known for their unpredictable temperament, but they generally only attack people when wounded or otherwise provoked – though solitary bulls occasionally xcharge for no apparent reason.

Very adaptable and widespread throughout sub-Saharan Africa, buffaloes are dependent on the reliable availability of water – not only for drinking but for bathing and wallowing. Viewing tip: Good buffalo sightings can be expected in most Tanzania reserves, but the best place for large aggregations in Katavi, which supports several thousand-strong herds during the dry season. Katavi, but also Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara, Tarangire, Arusha, Selous, Mikumi and Ruaha. Blue Wildebeest Also known as the brindled gnu, this legendary antelope, with its off-black coat and flattened horns, look a bit like a buffalo from a distance. At close quarters, however, the wildebeest is much slighter than a buffalo, its elongated face giving it a rather pensive expression, and it has a distinctive shaggy beard. It is the main mover behind the world’s greatest mammal migration, which takes place in the Serengeti ecosystem and is comprised of some two million wildebeest as well as thousands of but also zebra, gazelle and eland. The Serengeti migration follows a reasonably predictable but far from infallible annual cycle.

The wildebeest usually disperse into the southeast Serengeti from Dec-May, then march in a braying column of up to 40km long to cross the Grumeti River in June/July, before dispersing into the northern Serengeti and Kenya until Oct, plodding back to the southern Serengeti in Nov, when the cycle starts all over again. The buffalo-like appearance of the wildebeest is alluded to in its name, which is Dutch/Afrikaans for ‘wild ox’. The onomatopoeic name gnu, by contrast, is African in origin and refers to its protracted nasal call. Viewing tip: The calving season peaks in February, when the place to be is the Serengeti-Ngorongoro border region around Lake Ndutu Top spots: Serengeti, obviously, but also Tarangire, Manyara, Selous, Ruaha and most other Tanzanian reserves, often in the company of Burchell’s zebra.

Spiral-horned antelope Contrary to appearances, the ‘spiral horned antelopes’ of the Tragelaphini are more closely related to cattle and buffaloes than to true antelopes. Five species are present in Tanzania, all of which are grey- or chestnut-brown with some white spotting and/or vertical striping on the flanks. They display significant sexual dimorphism: the male is typically a head taller than the female, and has magnificent spiralled horns. The Tragelaphines are less fleet of foot than true antelope, for which reason they favour wooded habitats where stealth is more important than speed. The male greater kudu is the most magnificent of African antelope, its statuesque bearing accentuated by metre-long double-spiralled horns. Associated with woodland and forested watercourses, it is an accomplished jumper, capable of clearing fences twice its shoulder height of 1.5m. It is grey-brown with up to 10 vertical flank stripes, and travels in small herds, though males are often solitary.

In northern Tanzania, the greater kudu has never recovered from a 19th century rinderpest epidemic and, but it is relatively common in Saadani, Ruaha and Mikumi. The lesser kudu, an uncommon and skittish East African endemic of dry acacia woodland, is distinguishable from the greater kudu by its smaller size, white throat patches and extra flank stripes (11-plus). Small herds are sometimes encountered in Tarangire, Mkomazi and Ruaha. The Bambi-like bushbuck is Tanzania’s most widespread medium-sized antelope, present in all non-arid habitats, even outside of protected areas. The chestnut brown male has relatively small straight horns while the female is smaller, paler and elaborately spotted. Secretive and solitary, it is especially common on Rubondo Island but might be seen in any forest or riverine woodland. The semi-aquatic sitatunga, a widespread but secretive swamp-dweller, looks like a large shaggy bushbuck, with unique splayed hooves adapted to its preferred watery habitat. It is readily observed on Rubondo Island alongside the bushbuck but seldom seen elsewhere.

Africa’s largest antelope, the eland has a shoulder height of 150–180 cm and can weigh up to 950 kg. A somewhat atypical Tragelaphine, it has a rather bovine appearance accentuated by relatively short horns and a large dewlap, and its light tan coat has faint vertical stripes. Eland herds typically number 10-15 animals, but seasonal migrations may involve several hundred animals. Thinly but widely distributed in East Africa, it is difficult to approach closely, an essential defence strategy for a relatively slow-moving antelope of open habitats. It might be seen almost anywhere, but Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Mikumi are the most reliable spots. Other large antelope The antelope discussed below all have a shoulder height of around 1.2-1.5 metres, which makes them as tall as, or taller than, a donkey or ass. Related to the blue wildebeest, the hartebeest has large shoulders, a pale yellowish coat, stunted horns, and an elongated face that gives it a rather morose demeanour.

Coke’s hartebeest (also known as the kongoni) is often seen atop a termite mound scanning the Serengeti plains for predators. It is replaced by the endangered Liechtenstein’s hartebeest in southern Tanzania. The topi, a glossier and more handsome variation on a hartebeest, is also associated with open country. It is dark brown with black on the flanks and snout, and striking yellow lower legs. It occurs alongside Coke’s hartebeest in the Serengeti-Ngorongoro ecosystem, where it is common. The equine roan antelope stands up to 1.5m tall at the shoulder, has a uniform fawn-grey coat with a pale belly, short decurved horns and a light mane. It inhabits dense dry woodland and is uncommon in most of Tanzania, but is likely to be seen over the course a few days in Ruaha. Also rather horse-like, the male sable antelope is a stunner, with a jet black coat offset by white face, underbelly and rump, and decurved horns up to 1.4 long. The female is chestnut brown and has shorter horns.

The 8,000 sable antelope that migrate through the greater Selous ecosystem constitute the largest population in Africa, but are concentrated south of the river and seldom seen by tourists. It is more likely to be seen in Ruaha, Katavi or Saadani. The stockier waterbuck is easily recognised by its shaggy brown coat and the male’s large lyre-shaped horns. The western Defassa race has a full white rump, while its eastern counterpart has a white U, as if it sat on a freshly painted toilet seat. Small herds are common in the vicinity of standing water, particularly in Arusha, Manyara and Selous. The oryx is a handsome ashy dry-country antelope with straight, backward-sweeping horns that grow longer than one metre. It can go without water for weeks, obtaining all it needs from the plants it eats. It is present but seldom seen in Tarangire, Mkomazi and the northern Serengeti. Medium-sized antelope The antelope below are comparable in size to a European deer, with shoulder heights of around 80-90cm.

The fleet-footed Thomson’s gazelle or ‘Tommy’ is a characteristic grazer of the Serengeti, where it is the favoured prey of the even faster cheetah. Like most gazelles, it is light chestnut with pale underparts, and it has a distinctive black flank stripe. Endemic to East Africa, it has a range centred on Serengeti-Ngorongoro, but also occurs in Arusha and Tarangire. Grant’s gazelle is much larger than Thomson’s, has longer horns, and lacks a black side stripe. It occurs alongside Thomson’s gazelle in the Serengeti ecosystem, but its range also extends southward as far as Ruaha NP. Superficially gazelle-like but more closely related to wildebeest and hartebeest, the impala is an elegantly proportioned chestnut antelope with black and white rump stripes. The male has magnificent lyre-shaped horns. Gregarious and territorial, the impala often moves in herds of 100 or more, though bachelor groups are smaller.

Herds jump magnificently – up to 3m high and 10m in length – in all directions when disturbed, a strategy designed to confuse predators. The most numerous antelope in southern Tanzania, it is also common in lightly wooded habitats in the north, but absent from Ngorongoro Carter. The gerenuk looks like a cross between a gazelle and an impala, but can distinguished from either by its extraordinarily long neck (as reflected in the Swahili name ‘swala twiga’, meaning ‘gazelle giraffe’) and unique custom of standing on its hind legs to eat. Within Tanzania, its range is restricted to Mkomazi and Tarangire. Arguably the most nondescript of African antelope are the three reedbuck species of the genus Redunca – lightly built, pale coloured grassland dwellers with white underbellies and small horns. The Bohor reedbuck is often seen in pairs or trios in the Serengeti ecosystem, but is replaced by the southern reedbuck in parts of southern Tanzania. The localised mountain reedbuck is almost exclusively associated with grassy and rocky mountain slopes.

The kob-like puku is a floodplain resident whose range is centred on southern Tanzania’s little visited Kilombero Valley, which supports around 50,000 animals, an estimated 70% of the global population. It might also be seen in the Rukwa basin and Selous. Small antelope The following antelope mostly stand 60cm or less at the shoulder, though the oribi is slightly taller. The oribi is a widespread but localised grassland antelope with sandy upperparts, white belly, and a diagnostic black glandular patch below the ears. It is typically seen in pairs or small herds which draw attention to itself with a trademark sneezing alarm call. Associated exclusively with rocky slopes, the klipspringer (Dutch/Afrikaans for ‘rock jumper’) boasts several adaptations to its niche habitat, notably the unique capacity to walk goat-like on its hoof tips, coarse but hollow fur providing good insulation at high altitude, and binocular vision to help it gauge jumping distances.

It has a grizzled grey coat, short horns and an arched back, and monogamous pairs might be observed in suitable habitats throughout Tanzania, notably Lobo in the Serengeti and Manyara’s Rift Valley escarpment. The distinctive Kirk’s dik-dik has is grizzled grey-brown with prominent white eye rings and a twitchy elongated nose. Almost always seen in pairs, it can be skittish, but will relax if you approach it slowly and wait for things to settle down. Present throughout Tanzania, it is especially common in Arusha, Manyara, Ruaha and the Lerai Forest in Ngorongoro. The odd man out in a tribe of small hunchbacked antelope associated mainly with tropical forests, the grey duiker is a common resident of wooded savannah, and might be seen anywhere in Tanzania bar forest interiors and deserts. It can be distinguished from other small savannah antelope by the black tuft of hair that sticks up between its horns.

The duiker-like steenbok has red-brown upper parts, clear white underparts, short straight horns, and is normally encountered singly or in pairs, which turn to stone when disturbed (hence its name, which translates as ‘stone buck’). It is common in the Serengeti and surrounds, but rare or absent further south. The hunchbacked forest duikers are probably the least understood of African antelope, and few tourists will encounter any of five species present in Tanzania. The chestnut Harvey’s red duiker is sometimes observed in coastal scrub in Saadani, and is replaced by the similar Natal red duiker on the south coast. The endangered Ader’s duiker is near-endemic to Zanzibar, where as few as 1,000 individuals survive in Jozani Forest. The larger Abbott’s duiker, following its recent extinction in Kenya, is also now endemic to Tanzania, where it is confined five forested montane ‘islands’, namely Kilimanjaro, Usambara, Udzungwa, Uluguru and Rungwe. Antelope Antelopes are divided into a number of tribes that are based on common attributes found amongst them.

The Zoo has many of these tribes such as Duikers, Gazelles, Reedbuck, Horse Antelope, Hartebeest, Impala and Bushbuck. They can often be seen grazing in their enclosure. A keen observer will notice the social structure within a group and the interaction amongst the herd. Antelopes are distinguished from other hoofed animals as having unbranched horns. Their beautiful horns are used as weapons in combat when males compete for mates. Their horns are arranged in a way that two striking males cannot crack each others skull, making the clash of horns more ritualistic than dangerous. The horns are better developed in species where males fight over females. The Kudu has the longest horns, about 180cm when measured along the curve. Antelopes are generally grazers and feed mainly on grass and browse. Their social system is a combination of: Sociable Territorial: Example: Oryxs, Sable, Roan, Waterbuck, Lechwe, Springbok and Bontebok. Sociable Non-Territorial:. Example: Kudu, Bongo, Eland, Buffalo, Sitatunga and Nyala.

Monogomous Territorial: Example: Blue and Grey Duiker. Solitary Non-Territorial: Example: Bushbuck. Most Antelope live in the African savannah, however many Antelope live in forest and some have adapted to desert, mountainous and semi-aquatic areas. Antelopes are a diverse group which varies between those that live in water, those who are heavily dependant on water and those who are water independent for long periods of time. Water Dependent: Example: Red Lechwe and Sitatunga. Water Course Dwellers: Example: Waterbuck. Regular Water Drinkers: Bushbuck Water Independent: Examples Eland, Kudu, Springbok and Oryx. Antelopes have to be wary of predators. They use their keen senses, agility and camouflage to avoid predators. Their eyes are strategically placed on the side of their head giving them a broad radius of vision. Their acute sense of smell and hearing gives them the ability to perceive danger. If under attack, Antelopes use a number of defense strategies. Large Antelope gather in herds and rely on numbers, running speed and mob attacks. In some species, adults encircle their young to protect them from predators.

Forest Antelope have large ears and their dark striped colouring allows them to camouflage and hide away from predators. Small Antelopes such as Duikers jump into dense bush where predators cannot pursue them. Open grassland Antelope tend to be very fast runners, their agility and endurance are advantages against many predators. Springbok use a defence mechanism called stotting, they spring into the air by lifting all four feet off the ground. Stotting is used to show predators the Springboks fitness and discourages its pursuit. Cheetahs are known to abandon more hunts when a Springbok slots, and if they do give chase, they are far less likely to make a kill. Slotting is also used to display fitness information to potential mates. Meet some of the Zoo�s Antelopes: Bongo Bongos are the largest sociable forest Antelopes and very distinctly marked. They have a deep chestnut colour and bright white stripes on their sides. This helps them camouflage and hide from pray. Both sexes have heavy spiral horns. The males horns are heavier and longer, as they age their horns become darker. In order to maneuver through the dense vegetation, Bongos tilt their chin up causing their horn to lie flat on their back.

Cape Buffalo The Cape Buffalo is one of the Greater Antelopes. They can reach a height of up to 170cm and weigh up to 870kg. Both male and female Cape Buffalo have horns. A characteristic feature of them is the adult Bulls (male) horns have fused bases which forms a continous bone shield called �boss� the boss cannot always be penetrated even by a rifle bullet. From the base the horns diverge and bend down then smoothly curve upwards and outwards. The horns of a male is larger then a female. The adage an elephant never forgets would be matched by a buffalo never forgives. They have been known to attack people that have harmed them even years after the event. Bushbuck Bushbuck are the only solitary non-territorial South African Antelope. Sub adult rams are a deep chestnut brown which darkens with age. A few white spots on the flanks and a crest of yellow hair runs down its back. They are the masters of camouflage and can stay absolutely still until the last minute. If seen all the major predators will try to attack them, however they are efficient at bounding through the bush.

Only the males have horns and are significantly bigger and darker than the females. The bushbuck ram is regarded by sports hunters as the most dangerous medium-size antelope, as it will hide in the bush after being wounded and charge the hunter when he comes looking for it, impaling the hunter with its sharp horns. Gemsbok These are one of the best marked Antelopes. They are light brownish to grey tan in colour with long black tails. A blackish stripe extends from their chin towards the lower edge of the neck, through the shoulder and leg along the lower flank of each side to the blackish section of the rear leg. They have white �socks� with a black patch on the front of both legs. Both genders have long straight horns. Females have longer, thinner horns with a slight outward and rearward curve. Females use their horns to defend themselves and their offspring from predators, while males use their horns to defend their territory. Gemsboks have the ability to dig for plants below the surface of sand or soil and are well adapted to desert conditions. Grey Duiker As with all Duiker species, the Grey Duiker is named after their habitat.

When disturbed they make off at high speeds in a series of plunging jumps and diving (duik-Afrikaans word meaning dive) for cover. These small Antelopes stand at about 50cm at the shoulder, the females are slightly taller than the males. Grey Duiker are resilient when it comes to survival. It will always find a place to hide and it will eat almost anything and thrive on it. Impala The name Impala comes from the Zulu word meaning Gazelle and is the most common Antelope in South Africa. They have a short glossy coat which is normally reddish brown in colour. They have lighter flanks and white underbellies with a characteristic 'M' marking the rear, it has distinctive black and white stripes running down the rump and tail. Only the males have horns which can reach up to 45-92cm Known for their leaps, Impala can jump about 10 feet high and when running about 33 feet ahead. Kudu Greater Kudus have a brown/bluish grey to reddish brown coat. They have between 4-12 vertical white stripes along their bodies.

Their head is darker in colour then the rest of their body with a small white chevron which runs between their eyes. Only the males have horns and are larger than the females in size. When straightened their horns cab reach an average length of 120cm. Their horns do not begin to grow until the male is between the age of 6-12 months old, their horns begin to twist at the age of 2 and at the age of 6 their horns reach a full two and a half twists. Occasionally the horns reach 3 full turns. Nyala This spiral horned Antelope is native to Southern Africa. The females and juveniles have a rusty brown coat. As the males grow older their coat becomes dark brown or grey tinged with blue. Females and young males have ten or more white stripes on their sides. Only the males have horns which are 60-83cm long and yellow tipped. The scientific name for the Nyala is Nyala Angasii. Angasii is named after the French artist and naturalist George French Angas. Sitatunga The Sitatunga stands at about one and a half metres at the shoulder and have a water-proof coat.

Males have a dark brown coat while females are reddish brown coat. Both sexes have white stripes and spots as well as white splotches on their faces. Only males have horns which are twisted and can reach almost 1m in length. Sitatunga are water specialist, they can outrun predators in water with the aid of their splayed hooves.They are also vulnerable to human and other predators, they form permanent pathways in the swamps which are easily ambushed. Lord Derby Eland Also known as the Giant Eland, this is the largest species of antelope in the world. They have a body length between 2.2 and 3.45 m, a tail length of 90 cms, and they weigh between 300 and 1,000 kgs. Depending on their sex, Giant Elands differ greatly in size, males can grow to almost double the weight of females, and can reach up to 1.8 m at the shoulder. The coat of the Giant Eland is reddish-brown in colour and is usually darker in males. The torso features 8 -12 well defined vertical white stripes.

The colour of the male's coat darkens with age, and it has been stated that the darkness of the coat reflects the levels of androgen in the body. Androgen is a male hormone which is highest during rutting. Both male and females have tightly spiraled, 'V'-shaped horns. They can be up to 123 cm long on males, and 66 cm on females. Males have horns that are thicker at the ends, longer, and more divergent than those of females. Giant Eland can move quickly, running at over 43 mph, and despite their size are exceptional jumpers, easily clearing heights of 1.5 m. Giraffe The Giraffe holds the record as the worlds tallest animal. Distinguished by its long neck and legs, a fully grown Giraffe can stand at 5-6metres tall. Male are taller then females. The Giraffes coat is made of dark patches which can be orange to chestnut brown or nearly black, these patches are separated by light white or cream colour hair. Male Giraffes become darker as they age. Each Giraffe has a unique coat pattern much like a human fingerprint.

Both males and females have horn like structures called ossicones, this is formed by ossified cartlidge covered in skin and fused to the skull. The ossicones of the female and young are thin and have tufts of hair on the top. The ossicones on males end in knobs and are usually bold on the top. As the males' age their skulls become heavier and more club like, this helps them become more dominant in combat. The name Giraffe has its earliest origins in the Arabic word zarafa which is translated into 'fast walker' Blackbuck The Blackbuck is well known for their large horns which generally curl about five times and have pronounced ridges near the tips. Their horns are 50-61cm long with the record being 71.5cm. There is a striking contrast between males and females. Both genders start out as a light brown, but at around two years of age the males slowly darken to a rich chocolate or black colour. Both genders have white stripe along their chest and underside, but only the males have the long twisted horn that the Blackbuck is famously known for. The Blackbuck is also only surviving species of the Antelope population.

Their ancestor, including the Antilope intermedius, Antilope subtorta, and Antilope planicornis, are all extinct, leaving only a few fossilized remains behind. Bontebok The Bontebok is a medium-sized, generally dark brown antelope with a prominent, wide white blaze on its face. Their hair is soft and has an iridescent sheen, It has a pure white rump, belly and hocks, and black-tipped tail. Both sexes have horns, although the horns of the male are heavier and longer than those of females. The horns of Bontebok are lyre-shaped and clearly ringed and can reach a length of half a metre. The Bontebok was once considered to be the rarest antelope in the world but careful conservation has ensured its survival. Today the Bontebok is only found in protected areas in South Africa. Bontebok are not good jumpers, but they are very good at crawling under things. Mature males form territories and face down other males in displays and occasionally combat. Eland Common Eland can be found in parts of Southern Africa and extends north into Ethiopia, parts of Sudan, Angola and Namibia.

Their coats differ geographically, Eland in North Africa have stripes on their torso, markings on their legs, dark garters and a spinal crest. Eland in the south do not have these markings. Females have a tan coat while males are darker bluish-grey tinge. As males age they coats become grey, Males also have dense fur on their forheads and a large dewlap on their throats. Both sexes have horns which is visible at birth and grow rapidly during the first 6-7 months. The horns of males are thicker and shorter than the females and have a tighter spiral. The eland is the largest African bovid, but the slowest antelope. It can only run about 25 mph, but it can jump 10 feet from a standing start. Red Lechwe Red Lechwe have a golden brown coat with white bellies and white patches around their eyes. The males are darker than the females and have long spiral almost lyre shaped horns. Their hind leg is longer than other Antelopes and is covered in a water repellent substance which allows them to run fast in knee length water.

This robust long haired Antelope is a fast swimmer and will not hesitate to dive into water if it is being pursued. Arabian Oryx The Arabian Oryx is a graceful, white antelope with black markings on the face and legs. The white coat reflects the sun and the dark legs absorb heat from the ground during cold mornings. A short mane runs from head to shoulders; the tail is tufted, and males sport a tuft on the throat. Both sexes have long, straight horns which are about 22-58 inches in length. The Arabian Oryx is keen sighted, wary and alert, and defends itself by lowering its head so the horns point forward. Arabian Oryx were hunted as trophies and by 1972 disappeared from the wild. In 1982 Arabian Oryx bred in captivity were reintroduced into the wild. Reintroduction continues today with the goal of restoring the Arabian Oryx back in the wild. Scimitar Horned Oryx Scimitar Horned Oryx are mostly white with reddish brown necks and marks on the face and a long, dark, tufted tail.

The white coat helps reflect the heat of the desert. The most distinctive feature are the two scimitar or sickle-shaped horns. Found in both sexes, these virtually ridgeless, thin horns curve up and over the back, growing 100-125 cm in length. Due to their thinness, the horns are fairly fragile and are prone to breaking. Scimitar Horned Oryx have an interesting way of coping with a water shortage. They are able to raise their body temperature by several degrees to conserve water by avoiding sweating. Southern Reedbuck An elegant antelope of Africa's grasslands, the southern reedbuck can be identified by the distinctive dark lines that run down the front of each of its forelegs and lower hindlegs. The colour of its coat varies between light brown to greyish-brown, often turning lighter on the neck and chest. White fur defines the underparts and area around the lips and chin, while a distinctive black patch below each ear is the site of a gland. The short, bushy tail is white on its underside.

Only Male southern reedbucks have forward-curving horns, which measure between 30 and 45 centimetres, and are ridged for most of their length except for the smooth tip. The southern reedbuck makes a number of characteristic noises, including a piercing whistle through the nostrils, and a distinctive 'popping' sound, caused by the inguinal glands which is heard when the southern reedbuck jumps. Sable Antelope The handsome Sable Antelope is the national animal of Zimbabwe. The females are chestnut to dark brown, darkening as they mature, while males are distinctively black. Both sexes have white underbellies, white cheeks and white chins. They have shaggy manes on the back of their necks. Sable antelope have ringed horns which arch backward, in females these can reach 1 m, but in males they can reach over 1.1 m. Males are larger then females. Sable Antelopes are aggressive when it comes to danger. Other antelope back off meekly when the Sable Antelope approaches, and spotted hyaenas, wild dogs, cheetahs and leopards are very reluctant to challenge this courageous and dangerous fighter.

Even lions have been known to come off second best; gored to death by those deadly horns. Springbok The Springbok is an Afrikaans/Dutch name. Spring meaning Jump and Bok meaning Buck. Their striking body colour makes them easily recognizable. They have a cinnamon coloured upper body, white underparts and a broad dark brown stripe on either flank stretching from the front legs to the rear legs. The short white tail is brown tufted. The rump is marked by a triangular-shaped white patch, framed by a dark brown stripe with the apex on the top of the hindquarters. Horns of females are more slender and shorter than those of males. The Springbok is a symbol of the South African National rugby team. It can leap up to 9m in the air when startled and can run at speeds of 60mph Waterbuck Despite their name, Waterbuck are not fond of swimming. They are found near water and will only wade into the water to hide from predators. This is a large, robust antelope. Males have a shoulder height of 1.4 metres and can weigh up to 260 Kg. Females are smaller.

Waterbucks have a brownish-grey shaggy coat. The eyes and nose are patched with white, and there is a white collar under the throat. The rump has a characteristic white ring. The large rounded ears are a prominent feature. Only the males have long, forward curved horns which are ringed and can grow up to 1metre long in the oldest male. Both sexes emit a pleasant, musky smell which normally lingers at resting sites. Antelope - definition of antelope by The Free Dictionary Antelope - definition of antelope by The Free Dictionary Related to antelope: Saiga Antelope an·te·lope n. pl. antelope or an·te·lopes 1. a. Any of various swift-running ruminant mammals of the family Bovidae, native to Africa and Eurasia and having unbranched horns. b. A pronghorn. 2. Leather made from antelope hide.

[Middle English, a savage-looking heraldic beast with hoofs and sawlike horns (possibly originally based on the Arabian oryx), ultimately (partly via Old French antelop) from Medieval Latin anthalopus, from Late Greek antholops, of unknown origin.] antelope (ˈæntɪˌləʊp) n, pl -lopes or -lope 1. (Animals) any bovid mammal of the subfamily Antilopinae, of Africa and Asia. They are typically graceful, having long legs and horns, and include the gazelles, springbok, impala, gerenuk, blackbuck, and dik-diks 2. (Animals) any of various similar bovids of Africa and Asia 3. (Animals) American antelope another name for pronghorn [C15: from Old French antelop, from Medieval Latin antalopus, from Late Greek antholops a legendary beast] an•te•lope (ˈæn tlˌoʊp) n., pl. -lopes, (esp. collectively) -lope. 1.

any of several ruminants of the family Bovidae, chiefly of Africa and Asia, having permanent, hollow, unbranched horns. 3. leather made from the hide of an antelope. [1400–50; < Middle French < Medieval Latin antalopus < Medieval Greek anthólops a fabulous beast] an`te•lo′pi•an, an`te•lo′pine (-pɪn, -paɪn) adj. ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: Noun 1.

antelope - graceful Old World ruminant with long legs and horns directed upward and backward; includes gazelles; springboks; impalas; addax; gerenuks; blackbucks; dik-diks Antilope cervicapra , black buck , blackbuck - common Indian antelope with a dark back and spiral horns gerenuk , Litocranius walleri - slender East African antelope with slim neck and backward-curving horns addax , Addax nasomaculatus - large antelope with lightly spiraled horns of desert regions of northern Africa gnu , wildebeest - large African antelope having a head with horns like an ox and a long tufted tail dik-dik - any of several small antelopes of eastern Africa of the genus Madoqua; the size of a large rabbit hartebeest - a large African antelope with lyre-shaped horns that curve backward Damaliscus lunatus , sassaby , topi - a large South African antelope; considered the swiftest hoofed mammal Aepyceros melampus , impala - African antelope with ridged curved horns; moves with enormous leaps gazelle - small swift graceful antelope of Africa and Asia having l

ustrous eyes Boocercus eurycerus , Tragelaphus eurycerus , bongo - large forest antelope of central Africa having a reddish-brown coat with white stripes and spiral horns koodoo , koudou , kudu - either of two spiral-horned antelopes of the African bush harnessed antelope - any of several antelopes of the genus Tragelaphus having striped markings resembling a harness mountain nyala , Tragelaphus buxtoni - shaggy antelope of mountains of Ethiopia blue bull , Boselaphus tragocamelus , nilgai , nylghai , nylghau - large Indian antelope; male is blue-grey with white markings; female is brownish with no horns Hippotragus niger , sable antelope - large black East African antelope with sharp backward-curving horns saiga , Saiga tatarica - goat-like antelope of central Eurasia having a stubby nose like a proboscis

Question: What is the African antelope whose male of the species have lyre-shaped horns?
Answer: Impala