Details
Hippotragus niger
A powerful African antelope of wooded savanna and grassland. Dark adult males, bold facial markings, and long swept-back horns make it distinctive.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
Sable antelopes live in wooded grassland, miombo woodland, and moist savanna valleys. They often occur where water and tall grasses are nearby.
Males become dark brown to black, while females and young are more reddish. Both sexes have long curved horns and contrasting black-and-white faces.
Females and young live in herds, and mature males may hold territories. When threatened, they can use their horns defensively.
They graze mainly on grasses, selecting fresh rainy-season growth and taller dry-season grasses. Access to water influences movements.
Breeding occurs within herds. Females give birth to a single calf, which remains hidden at first before joining the group.
Rival males may fight on their knees with horns locked, a behavior that reduces leverage but can still cause serious injury.
