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Sable antelope - HIPPOTRAGUS NIGER
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Sable": "Sable" probably refers to the fine sable-like coat of the animal. "Antelope" is a French word for a fabulous oriental beast.
Location: Eastern Africa.
Habitat: Terrestrial. Wooded savanna.
Description: This large antelope Is glossy black, with a conspicuous white pattern on the face, and contrasting white underside. On the neck there is a mane of long stiff hair. The female is slightly paler. The horns are very long - up to 40 inches in males - almost parallel and curved backward. The horns are shorter in the female. Length of head and body is almost eight feet, four and a half feet high at the shoulder, and it weighs over 550 pounds.
Behavior: Sable antelopes form herds of 10 to 20 females and young, dominated by a large bull. Often the other males gather in separate herds. They feed on grass and move as necessary for fresh food sources. If seasonal conditions are favorable, the sable antelope may remain in a small area indefinitely. Sable antelopes are prone to fighting among themselves and are able to defend themselves against most predators, including lions!
Reproduction: Gestation lasts about 275 days. The female leaves the male and enters a group with other females, where most young are born August through February.
Go to the Artiodactyla Page to learn more about all the even-toed hoofed animals.
Or go to the Antelope Index to study other
antelopes.
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