The antelope of Africa are not just unique. If you don’t know a kudu from a gerenuk then this article is for you. Antelopes embody the essence of the African wilderness and the spirit of the continent. If you’re coming on safari it’s rare to encounter two springbok.
Antelopes is a term loosely used to describe the members of the Bovidae family that are not cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo, or bison. Scientifically, antelope do not form a single taxonomic group but are instead spread across several distinct genera. Characteristically, antelopes are noted for their speed and agility.
They share some common traits such as even-toed hooves and, in many cases, horn structures. Antelopes vary significantly in size. This size variation is matched by their habitats: they are found in a range of environments across Africa, from the forests of the Congo to the vast savannahs of the Serengeti.
In addition, they exhibit a range of behaviours and adaptations, from the solitary bongo to the highly social impala. Antelopes are often confused with deer and gazelles, but they have distinct differences. Deer are Cervidae and thus belong to a completely different family than antelopes.
Unlike deer, most antelopes have permanent horns, which are present in both males and females in some species. Gazelles are a subgroup within the antelope family. They are known for their lighter build and remarkable speed.
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Here’s my top types of antelope list:
A Day In The Life Of Serengeti Animals | Serengeti II | BBC Earth Kids
1. Kudu
Kudus are without doubt, the most majestic of all buck. You must agree when you see a male kudu standing proudly, crowned with his spiral-shaped horns! Kudu have excellent camouflage and blend in with the dull colours of the savannah. You’ll find them in small groups, often in very dense bush.
There are two types of kudu: the greater kudu and the lesser kudu. Other than sizewise, one way to differentiate the two is to observe the number of white stripes on the side of the body. Kudu ears are unmistakably large. It’s very funny to watch when they hear intriguing sounds.
The kudu is divided into two species: the Greater Kudu and the Lesser Kudu. The Greater Kudu is one of Africa’s largest antelopes while the Lesser Kudu is slightly smaller and more elusive. The kudu has an elegant striped body and spiraled horns that are capable of reaching over 70 inches (178 centimeters) in length.
Both species exhibit a incredible agility, capable of clearing heights of over 8 feet (2.4 meters) when threatened. Their shy nature and preference for dense bush or forest cover make their sighting a cherished moment.
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Greater Kudu
2. Sable Antelope
If you’re further north in Kruger National Park, keep an eye out for the stunning black sable antelope. They’re quite rare and there’s no guarantee that you’ll see one on a Kruger trip.
Love these animals, yet they are seldom seen. Did you know that sable antelope horns could measure up to 165 cm in length? Impressive, huh?
The sable antelope is among the most iconic African antelopes. They are members of the hippotragini tribe of horse antelopes, named due to their powerful stature, thick necks and erect mane. The male’s striking jet-black coat contrasts sharply with the white underbelly and facial markings, while females and juveniles display a rich chestnut to dark brown hue.
Both sexes have semi-circular, ridged horns that arch backwards, reaching lengths of up to 65 inches (165 centimeters).
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3. Impala
After a very short time in Kruger National Park, you’ll notice that impala are the most common type of buck. The impala epitomises the grace and agility of African antelopes. The name impala comes from a Zulu word which means antelope.
They use their tremendous abilities to avoid predation, and seemingly for pure enjoyment. They are capable of jumping over obstacles up to 10 feet high (approximately 3 meters) and cover distances of 33 feet (about 10 meters) in a single bound. The males have slender, lyre-shaped horns while the females have no horns.
Impalas are highly sociable, forming herds that adapt to the changing seasons, shifting from tight-knit groups in the wet seasons to larger, mixed gatherings in the dry months. Impalas have acute hearing and are known for their loud uttered snorts capable of frightening elephants. The impala antelope is preyed upon by most big predators: lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, etc.
4. Gerenuk
The Gerenuk is one of Africa’s most peculiar and intriguing antelopes, often referred to as the ‘giraffe gazelle’ due to its remarkably elongated neck and limbs. This adaptation enables the Gerenuk to stand on its hind legs, stretching up to 6 feet (approximately 1.8 metres) to reach succulent leaves.
This feat grants it access to a niche of high foliage in the arid landscapes of East Africa. With its slender build and large, doe-like eyes, the Gerenuk possesses an ethereal beauty. These antelopes lead a solitary or small-group lifestyle.
5. Eland
The largest buck in the park, and in fact the world, is the eland. There are only 300 in Kruger National Park, so they aren’t a common sighting. You can identify them by their size and short, twisted horns.
The Eland is Africa’s largest antelope, with males reaching up to 2,000 pounds (approximately 907 kilograms) and standing up to 6 feet (about 1.8 metres) at the shoulder. However, they still exhibit an unexpected grace. They are capable of hopping over fences that are 8 feet (approximately 2.4 metres) high.
These animals have spiral horns, which can grow up to 4 feet (about 1.2 metres) long, and a dewlap on their neck that aids in thermoregulation. Elands are versatile feeders, adapting to a variety of habitats by grazing on grass and browsing leaves.
6. Roan Antelope
You may see their brown cousins, called the “roan”. The Roan Antelope is a stunning figure across the savannahs and grasslands of Africa. It is regarded as one of the most handsome antelopes.
Males and females alike boast ringed horns, stretching up to 39 inches (about 99 centimetres) long. Their fur is greyish-brown fur while their face has a black and white mask. Weighing up to 660 pounds (approximately 300 kilograms) and standing at about 4.5 feet (roughly 1.4 metres) at the shoulder, the Roan is one of the continent’s largest antelopes. The roan is the fourth-largest antelope species in Africa. They are not to be confused with the sable, their Hippotragus cousin.
7. Nyala
The Nyala is a captivating sight in the woodlands and thickets of Southern Africa. Males have a shaggy dark-brown coat, spiral horns that can reach up to 33 inches (approximately 84 centimetres), and distinctive white stripes and spots.
In contrast, females sport a reddish-brown coat, are hornless, and have more vibrant markings. This antelope species thrives in dense bush where they can easily hide from predators, feeding on leaves, fruits, and flowers. Nyalas are typically shy. They are one of Africa’s most alert antelope, sensing danger with their exceptional hearing, smell, and sight.
8. Oryx
The Oryx personifies the essence of the African desert. It stands out with its stark, contrasting markings, including distinct black and white facial features, and long, straight horns that can reach up to 47 inches (about 119 centimetres) in length.
These horns serve as defensive weapons against predators and as symbols of status within their groups. Adapted to thrive in arid environments, the Oryx has the ability to survive without water for extended periods, relying on moisture from the food they consume.
9. Waterbuck
The easiest way to identify a waterbuck is by the white ring around its bottom. We always say it looks like they sat on a toilet seat that had just been painted ;-).
The Waterbuck is a large antelope that lives along the waterways and floodplains of sub-Saharan Africa. This antelope can weigh up to 600 pounds (approximately 272 kilograms) and stands about 4 feet (around 1.2 metres) at the shoulder. As their name suggests, it is intrinsically linked to bodies of water, seldom straying far from its life-giving refuge.
They often take to the water to escape predators, which include lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and wild dogs. Waterbucks are primarily grazers, with a diet that helps maintain the health of grasslands. Do you know why common waterbucks have an elliptical ring around the rump? When Noah built his Ark, the vessel’s toilet seats were painted in white. Very “funny”, I know!
The scientific name of the waterbuck is Kobus ellipsiprymnus. The waterbuck is one of the six species of the genus Kobus in the family Bovidae. It was first described by Irish naturalist William Ogilby in 1833. The generic name Kobus is a Neo-Latin word, originating from an African name, koba. The type specimen of the waterbuck was collected by South African hunter-explorer Andrew Steedman in 1832. This specimen was named Antilope ellipsiprymnus by Ogilby in 1833. This species was transferred to the genus Kobus in 1840, becoming K. ellipsiprymnus. It is usually known as the common waterbuck.
In 1835, German naturalist Eduard Rüppell collected another specimen, which differed from Steedman's specimen in having a prominent white ring on its rump. Considering it a separate species, Rüppell gave it the Amharic name "defassa" waterbuck and scientific name Antilope defassa.[3] Modern taxonomists, however, consider the common waterbuck and the defassa waterbuck a single species, K. Not many fossils of the waterbuck have been found. On the basis of coat colour, 37 subspecies of the waterbucks had been initially recognised.
Waterbuck are rather sedentary in nature, though some migration may occur with the onset of monsoon. A gregarious animal, the waterbuck may form herds consisting of six to 30 individuals. The various groups are the nursery herds, bachelor herds and territorial males. Herd size increases in summer, whereas groups fragment in the winter months, probably under the influence of food availability.
When sexually excited, the skin of the waterbuck secretes a greasy substance with the odour of musk (sebum), giving it the name "greasy kob".[3][12] The odor of this is so unpleasant that it repels predators.[14] This secretion also assists in water-proofing the body when the animal dives into water.
The common waterbuck and the defassa waterbuck are remarkably different in their physical appearances. The long, spiral horns curve backward, then forward. Found only on males, the horns range from 55 to 99 cm (22 to 39 in) in length.[12] To some extent, the length of the horns is related to the bull's age.
The waterbuck exhibits great dependence on water. It can not tolerate dehydration in hot weather, and thus inhabits areas close to sources of water. However, it has been observed that unlike the other members of its genus (such as the kob and puku), the waterbuck ranges farther into the woodlands while maintaining its proximity to water.[21] With grasses constituting a substantial 70 to 95 percent of the diet, the waterbuck is predominantly a grazer frequenting grasslands. Reeds and rushes like Typha and Phragmites may also be preferred.[16]
Waterbuck inhabit scrub and savanna areas alongside rivers, lakes and valleys.[13] Due to their requirement for grasslands as well as water, the waterbuck have a sparse distribution across ecotones (areas of interface between two different ecosystems).
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) lists the waterbuck as of least concern (LC).[1] More specifically, the common waterbuck is listed as of Least Concern[28] while the defassa waterbuck is near threatened (NT).[29]
Waterbuck
10. Bongo
Bongos are shy forest dwellers that are rarely seen. They are nocturnal and inhabit dense forest regions in West and Central Africa. The Bongo has a white-striped chestnut coat which serves as camouflage amongst the thick underbrush.
They have heavy, long, spiralling horns, which can be found on both males and females. This elusive animal is the third-largest antelope in the world, weighing up to 900 pounds (around 408 kilograms). Bongos are known to carry out crop raiding and have been reported to venture into farming areas to feast.
11. Topi
The Topi is known for its blue-grey coat and dramatic, lyre-shaped horns. These antelopes are found in the savannahs and floodplains of East and Southern Africa, where they gather in large herds. Topis are fast, reaching speeds of 40 miles per hour (64 kilometers per hour), and can sustain high speeds over long distances, making it one of the savannah’s most able runners.
12. Dik-dik
The dik-dik is the smallest African antelope, belonging to the genus Madoqua. It lives in the bushlands of eastern and southern Africa. These diminutive creatures are about 12-16 inches (30-40 centimetres) tall at the shoulder.
Dik-diks are known for their pointed snout and large, dark eyes surrounded by a white ring. Their small size and cryptic colouration allow them to blend into their environment, evading predators. They namesake call resembles a “zik-zik” or “dik-dik” sound, used as an alarm to alert others of danger. Dik-diks engage in monogamous pair bonds, a rarity in the antelope world.
13. Giant Eland
Despite the difference in their name, these antelopes are very similar in size. You can expect either of those towering giants to reach up to 345 cm in length. The reason for the name ‘giant’ is regarding its horns. The large horns are able to inflict damage during fights for dominance between males.
14. Bongo
The first thing you notice when spotting this animal is its striking coloration. At first glance you might need to check your eyes, but you aren’t wrong. This African antelope species’ spiralled horns might seem familiar to you. Fun fact: Bongos are the only antelope in the Tragelaphus genus that have horns regardless of their sex.
15. Tsessebe
Another type to look out for up north is the tsessebe. Of all the African antelope types you may have heard of, the tsessebe is the fastest. To put that into perspective, Usain Bolt has reached a maximum of 45 km/h.
16. Scimitar Oryx
The scimitar oryx is truly a magical creature. Its long, curved horns provide an unforgettable sight.
There are many more antelope species across Africa, although some really aren’t that elegant at all!
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