Details
Litocranius walleri
The gerenuk is a long-necked East African antelope. It is famous for standing on its hind legs to browse leaves beyond the reach of many grazers.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It inhabits dry Afrotropical savanna and desert edge. Thornbush and dry shrubland are favored over open grassland.
Length 140-160 cm; weight 28-52 kg. A long neck, small head, large eyes and ears, and very slim legs define the species. Males carry short S-shaped horns.
Diurnal and loosely social, it is often alone or in small groups. It rises on the hind legs and may brace with the forelegs while feeding.
A herbivore, it browses leaves, buds, flowers, and fruit from shrubs. Much of its water comes from plants, helping it live in dry country.
Females give birth to a single calf in cover. Young hide at first and later follow the mother while learning feeding sites.
It is listed as Near Threatened. Overgrazing, hunting, and changes to dry shrubland can affect local populations.
