Africa is home to a diverse array of animals with horns, including antelopes, buffalo, and rhinos. It can sometimes be tricky to tell them apart from each other. Here is a list of some of the most fascinating animals in Africa that have horns, from the tiny royal antelope to the massive white rhino. Sadly, much of Africa’s biodiversity is threatened by issues like poaching, drought, and habitat loss.
As a conservation and rescue organisation, IFAW is working in Africa and around the world to mitigate these threats and protect wildlife. Not all these horned animals are mammals-some reptiles in Africa are known to have horns, too, including the Saharan horned viper and Jackson’s horned chameleon.
Here are some amazing African animals with horns:
1. Springbok
Springboks are slim and long-legged, with light brown coats, white undersides, and white faces with black stripes running from their eyes to their mouth. Male and female springboks both have long, dark horns, which point backwards and curve toward each other at the tips, almost looking like they form a heart shape. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorises springboks as least concern.
2. Oryx
Oryx (genus Oryx) are large antelopes recognised by the dark markings on their faces and legs. There are four species of oryxes: the Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx), scimitar oryx (Oryx dammah), East African oryx (Oryx beisa), and South African oryx (Oryx gazella). Except the scimitar oryx, all oryx species have long, backwards-pointing horns that are almost perfectly straight. Both male and female oryxes have permanent horns.
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The scimitar oryx is found in North Africa, and the IUCN classes it as endangered. There are only 140 to 160 scimitar oryx remaining in the wild, largely due to poaching. The East African oryx, also known as the beisa, is endangered. The Arabian oryx is classed as vulnerable, and the South African oryx-also known as the gemsbok-as least concern.
3. Wildebeest
The Great Migration - Wildebeest Migration from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara, Crossing Mara River
Both male and female wildbeeests have horns. Wildebeests have high, sloping shoulders with a hump, short necks, manes, and beards. There are two wildebeest species, the common wildbeest (Connochaetes taurinus) and the black wildbeest (Connochaetes gnou). The common wildebeest’s horns point out to the sides and curve upwards, towards each other. The black wildebeest’s horns point more towards the front and also curve upwards. The IUCN categorises both species as least concern.
White-bearded wildebeest are a very social species and will sometimes migrate in groups of up to 1 million individuals. Male wildebeest will leave the herd once they have reached maturity, where they will live in bachelor groups before establishing a territory. As wildebeest migrate, their grazing and pressing down of grasses in their footpaths help new grasses grow. They have one of the greatest migration paths that is entirely dependent on rainfall.
The white-bearded wildebeest is a large antelope with large shoulders and disproportionately smaller hindquarters. They are a grayish brown and, unlike other species of wildebeest, have a white beard. They have slim legs and a large head.
After a gestation period of 240 to 255 days, a single calf is born. Calves are able to run within three to seven minutes after birth and begin eating grass when 10 days old, although they still suckle for up to six months. Male sexual maturity is reached after three to four years.
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4. Eland
Elands (genus Taurotragus) are the largest antelopes in the world. There are two species, the smaller common eland (Taurotragus oryx) and the larger giant eland (Taurotragus derbianus). Both males and females have horns that are straight and point backwards with spiral ridges. Female common elands have larger horns than males, but males’ horns are thicker. Male elands have prominent dewlaps-loose flaps of skin that hang down from their necks. The common eland, found across southern, Central, and East Africa, is classed by the IUCN as least concern. The giant eland is classed as vulnerable and is found in small pockets of Central and West Africa.
5. Hartebeest
Also known as the kogoni or kaama, the hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus) is a large antelope with horns that protrude diagonally upwards, curve forward, and then curve backwards at the tips, giving them a hooked appearance. Both male and female hartebeests have these oddly-shaped horns. Hartebeests are found across sub-Saharan Africa, and the IUCN classes them as least concern. However, their population is decreasing, and they have gone extinct in North Africa and the Middle East, where they once roamed.
6. Saharan Horned Viper
Above their eyes, they have ‘horns’ made of large, pointed scales above their eyes. However, some Saharan horned vipers are born without this feature. The IUCN classes Saharan horned vipers as least concern, and though they have no major threats to their survival, they are sometimes captured for local exhibition or to extract their venom.
7. Southern Lechwe
Also known as the red lechwe, the southern lechwe (Kobus leche) is a reddish-brown antelope found in the wetlands of south-central Africa. Only male southern lechwes have horns, which are very long and spiral-ridged. They point backwards and then curve upwards. Southern lechwes are classed as near threatened by the IUCN and have a declining population. They’ve been eliminated from large portions of their range due to poaching.
8. Rhinos
The two African rhino species are the white rhino (Ceratotherium simum) and black rhino (Diceros bicornis), which are actually both grey. Male rhinos are territorial and use their horns in fights to determine the dominant male. Female rhinos also have horns. All rhino horns are made of keratin, the same material as human hair and fingernails. Poaching has led to the near extinction of the critically endangered black rhino and northern white rhino subspecies.
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IFAW is dedicated to protecting rhinos in Africa. We support teams of rangers who work to prevent wildlife crime like poaching across the continent. At a policy level, we advocate for the legal protection of rhinos and work to reduce demand.
9. Nile Lechwe
The Nile lechwe (Kobus megaceros) is an endangered antelope species found in South Sudan and Ethiopia. This species exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females look very different. Only male Nile lechwes have horns, which grow up and backwards, and then curve downwards before curving back up at the tips-forming a sideways S-shape. The IUCN classes the Nile lechwe as endangered with a decreasing population. It has sadly been severely impacted by civil conflict in its range, hunting for its meat, and encroachment into its habitat by cattle farms.
10. Lesser Kudu
The lesser kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis) is a medium-sized antelope with distinctive white vertical stripes found in East Africa. Only male lesser kudus have horns, which are tall, spiral-ridged, and make twists as they point back and upwards. The IUCN classes the lesser kudu as near threatened, and it has a declining population.
11. Gazelles
Two well-known gazelles found in East Africa are Thomson’s gazelles (Eudorcas thomsonii)-known colloquially as ‘tommies’-and Grant’s gazelles (Nanger granti). Male Thomson’s gazelles have thin, ridged horns that point backwards and are mostly straight, but curve forward a bit at the tips. Thomson’s gazelles are classed as least concern by the IUCN, but their numbers are declining. Climate change-induced droughts pose a major threat to these animals.
Grant’s gazelles look similar, but they often do not have dark markings on their sides, and instead they have white fur on their rumps. Grant’s gazelles also have much longer horns than Thomson’s gazelles, and they are curved in a lyre shape. Females have shorter and thinner horns, and the oldest males have the thickest horns. The IUCN classes Grant’s gazelles as least concern, but they also have a declining population and experience similar threats.
12. Walia Ibex
Also known as the Ethiopian ibex, the walia ibex (Capra walie) is a wild goat species found only in a small part of northern Ethiopia. Males have large, thick horns which curve backwards and down; they use these horns for disputes to determine who is the dominant male. The IUCN classes the walia ibex as vulnerable, and there are only about 585 individuals remaining. Habitat destruction and livestock grazing are two of the primary threats to walia ibex.
13. Bontebok
The bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus) is an antelope found in South Africa, Lesotho, and Namibia, recognisable by its chocolate-brown coat and the white fur on its face, rump, and belly. Both male and female bonteboks have ridged, backwards-growing horns that are slightly curved downwards and then upwards at the tips. The IUCN classes this species as least concern. However, hybridization between the bontebok and the closely related blesbok is threatening their survival.
14. Bongo
The bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus) is a large antelope found in forests of West and Central Africa. Both males and females have long, smooth horns that spiral inwards. Their horns appear quite different from the horns of other antelopes because of their lighter colour and lack of prominent ridges. The IUCN classes the bongo as near threatened, and it has a decreasing population. The primary threats to the bongo’s survival include habitat destruction due to illegal logging and commercial forestry as well as hunting for their meat and as trophies.
The bongo has a deep chestnut or reddish-brown coat with vertical white stripes running down its sides, which help to camouflage it among the dappled sunlight and shadows of the forest. On average, males stand around 120 to 150 centimeters (47 to 59 inches) tall at the shoulder, while females are slightly smaller.
15. Waterbuck
Only male waterbucks have horns, though females sometimes have small horn bumps. Their long horns grow backwards and gradually curve forwards in a crescent shape. The IUCN classes waterbucks as least concern, though their population is declining. Their numbers are strong in protected areas, but in much of their former range, they have sadly gone extinct due to hunting.
16. Okapi
Though they look similar to zebras with their striped legs, okapis (Okapia johnstoni) are more closely related to giraffes. Only males have ossicones. The IUCN classes okapi as endangered, and they are only found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where they face threats of habitat loss and hunting.
17. Royal Antelope
Royal antelopes (Neotragus pygmaeus), found in West Africa, are the smallest antelopes in the world. Only males have horns, which are short, thin, and mostly straight, and they point backwards. The IUCN classes the royal antelope as least concern, but its population is declining.
18. Jackson’s Chameleon
Jackson’s chameleon (Trioceros jacksonii) is a reptile found in Kenya and Tanzania. They have more horns than any other animal on this list, as they have three-one above their nose and two above their eyes-which makes them resemble the triceratops. Only male chameleons have horns, but females sometimes have traces of the central horn. The IUCN classes Jackson’s chameleon as least concern.
19. Greater Kudu
The greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is a large woodland antelope, found throughout eastern and southern Africa. Despite occupying such widespread territory, they are sparsely populated in most areas due to declining habitat, deforestation, and poaching. Male kudu have the largest horns of any antelope species, spiraling up to 6 feet.
Greater kudu bulls tend to be much larger than the cows, and vocalize much more, utilizing low grunts, clucks, humming, and gasping. They diverge slightly as they slant back from the head. The horns do not begin to grow until the bull is between the ages of 6-12 months. Greater kudus have a lifespan of 7 to 8 years in the wild, and up to 23 years in captivity.
Greater kudu are browsing herbivores, eating leaves, flowers, fruits, tubers and shoots from a variety of trees, bushes, grasses, herbs and vines. Females usually form small groups of 6-10 with their offspring, but sometimes they can form a herd up to 20 individuals. Greater kudus have a wide repertoire of vocalizations, including barks, grunts, hooting bleats and a strangulated whimper.
Conservation Status of African Antelopes with Horns
Many African antelopes with horns are facing significant threats due to habitat loss, poaching, and other human-related activities. Here's a summary of the conservation status of some of these species:
| Species | IUCN Status | Threats |
|---|---|---|
| Scimitar Oryx | Endangered | Poaching |
| East African Oryx | Endangered | Hunting |
| Nile Lechwe | Endangered | Civil conflict, hunting, habitat encroachment |
| Giant Eland | Vulnerable | Habitat loss |
| Walia Ibex | Vulnerable | Habitat destruction, livestock grazing |
| Lesser Kudu | Near Threatened | Declining population |
| African Bongo | Near Threatened | Habitat loss, hunting |
| Southern Lechwe | Near Threatened | Poaching |
| Okapi | Endangered | Habitat loss, hunting |
| Eastern White-Bearded Wildebeest | Declining | Habitat fragmentation |
Conservation efforts are crucial to protect these amazing animals and their habitats for future generations.
