Antelope legs. Where does the antelope live? Appearance of Thomson's African gazelle

Antelope (antelopes) is the common name for mammals from the order Artiodactyla, family Bovidae. The name “antelope” comes from the Middle Greek word ἀνθόλοψ, meaning “horned animal”.

The pronghorn is the second fastest running animal in the world after the cheetah.

Antelopes have many enemies: in nature they are exterminated by large predators -,. Humans cause significant damage to the population, because antelope meat is considered very tasty and is considered a delicacy by many peoples.

The average lifespan of an antelope in nature is from 12 to 20 years.

Where do antelopes live?

The vast majority of antelopes live in South Africa, with a number of species found in Asia. Only 2 species live in Europe: chamois and saiga (saiga). Several species live in North America, such as the pronghorn.

Some antelopes live in steppes and savannas, others prefer dense undergrowth and jungles, and some spend their entire lives in the mountains.

What does antelope eat in the wild?

The antelope is a ruminant herbivore; its stomach consists of 4 chambers, which allows it to digest plant foods rich in cellulose. Antelopes graze early in the morning or at dusk, when the heat subsides, and are in constant motion in search of food.

The diet of most antelopes consists of various types of grasses, leaves of evergreen shrubs and shoots of young trees. Some antelopes eat algae, fruits, fruits, legume seeds, flowering plants and lichens. Some species are unpretentious in food, others are very selective and consume strictly certain types of herbs, and therefore periodically migrate in search of the main source of food.

Antelopes sense approaching rain very well and accurately determine the direction of movement towards fresh grass.

In the hot African climate, most antelope species can go without water for a long time, eating grass saturated with moisture.

Types of antelopes, photos and names

The classification of antelopes is not constant and currently includes 7 main subfamilies, which include many interesting varieties:

wildebeest or wildebeest(Connochaetes)

African antelope, is a genus of artiodactyl animals of the subfamily of hares, including 2 species: black and blue wildebeest.

- Black wildebeest, aka white-tailed wildebeest or wildebeest(Connochaetes gnou)

one of the smallest species of African antelope. The antelope lives in South Africa. The height of males is about 111-121 cm, and the body length reaches 2 meters with a body weight of 160 to 270 kg, and females are slightly inferior in size to males. Antelopes of both sexes are dark brown or black in color, females are lighter than males, and the tails of the animals are always white. The horns of the African antelope are shaped like hooks, growing first downward, then forward and upward. The length of the horns of some male antelopes reaches 78 cm. A thick black beard grows on the face of the black wildebeest, and the scruff of the neck is decorated with a white mane with black tips.

- Blue wildebeest(Connochaetes taurinus)

slightly larger than black. The average height of antelopes is 115-145 cm with a weight of 168 to 274 kg. Blue wildebeest get their name due to their bluish-gray coat color, and on the sides of the animals there are dark vertical stripes, like those of the wildebeest. The tail and mane of antelopes are black, the horns are cow-type, dark gray or black. Blue wildebeest are distinguished by a very selective diet: antelopes eat certain types of grass, and therefore are forced to migrate to areas where it has rained and the necessary food has grown. The animal's voice is a loud and nasal grunt. About 1.5 million blue wildebeest live in the savannas of African countries: Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania, 70% of the population is concentrated in the Serengeti National Park.

Nyala or plain nyala(Tragelaphus angasii)

African horned antelope from the subfamily of bulls and the genus of forest antelopes. The height of the animals is about 110 cm, and the body length reaches 140 cm. The weight of adult antelopes ranges from 55 to 125 kg. Nyala males are more massive than females. It is very easy to distinguish males from females: gray males wear screw-shaped horns with white tips, ranging from 60 to 83 cm in length, have a bristling mane running along the back, and ragged hair hanging from the front of the neck to the groin. Female nyalas are hornless and have a red-brown color. In individuals of both sexes, up to 18 vertical white stripes are clearly visible on the sides. The main source of food for the antelope is the fresh foliage of young trees; grass is consumed only periodically. The usual habitats of the nyala are dense thicket landscapes in the territories of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Animals were also induced into the national parks of Botswana and South Africa.

Related species - mountain nyala(Tragelaphus buxtoni)

differs in a more massive body compared to the plain nyala. The body length of the mountain antelope is 150-180 cm, the height at the withers is approximately 1 meter, the horns of males reach 1 m in length. The antelope's weight varies between 150 and 300 kg. The species lives exclusively in the mountainous regions of the Ethiopian Highlands and the East African Rift Valley.

Horse antelope, she's the same roan antelope(Hippotragus equinus)

African saber-horned antelope, one of the largest representatives of the family with a height at the withers of about 1.6 m and a body weight of up to 300 kg. The body length is 227-288 cm. The animal resembles in appearance. The thick fur of the horse antelope has a grayish-brown color with a red tint, and a black and white mask is “painted” on the face. The heads of individuals of both sexes are decorated with elongated ears with tassels at the tips and well-twisted horns directed in an arched manner backwards. Mostly horse antelopes eat grasses or algae, and these animals do not eat foliage and twigs of bushes. The antelope lives in the savannas of Western, Eastern and Southern Africa.

(Tragelaphus eurycerus)

a rare species of African antelope, listed in the International Red Book. These mammals belong to the bovine subfamily and the genus of forest antelopes. Bongos are quite large animals: the height at the withers of mature individuals reaches 1-1.3 m, and the weight is about 200 kg. Representatives of the species are distinguished by a rich, chestnut-red color with white transverse stripes on the sides, islands of white fur on the legs and a white crescent spot on the chest. Bongo antelopes are not picky and happily eat various types of grasses and foliage of shrubs. The species' habitat passes through rugged forests and mountainous terrain in Central Africa.

Four-horned antelope(Tetracerus quadricornis)

a rare Asian antelope and the only representative of bovids whose head is decorated with not 2, but 4 horns. The height of these antelopes is about 55-54 cm with a body weight of no more than 22 kg. The animals' body is covered with brown fur, which contrasts with the white belly. Only males are endowed with horns: the front pair of horns barely reaches 4 cm, and most often they are practically invisible, the rear horns grow up to 10 cm in height. The four-horned antelope eats grass and lives in the jungles of India and Nepal.

cow antelope, she's the same kongoni, steppe hartebeest or common hartebeest(Alcelaphus buselaphus)

This is an African antelope from the hartebeest subfamily. Kongoni are large animals with a height of about 1.3 m and a body length of up to 2 m. The cow antelope weighs almost 200 kg. Depending on the subspecies, the Kongoni's coat color varies from light gray to dark brown, with a characteristic black pattern on its face and black markings on its legs. Luxurious horns up to 70 cm long are worn by individuals of both sexes; their shape is a crescent, curved to the sides and upwards. The cow antelope feeds on grasses and leaves of bushes. Representatives of the Kongoni subspecies live throughout Africa: from Morocco to Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania.

Black antelope(Hippotragus niger)

African antelope, which belongs to the genus of equine antelopes, the family of saber-horned antelopes. The height of the black antelope is about 130 cm with a body weight of up to 230 kg. Adult males are distinguished by their blue-black body color, which contrasts favorably with their white belly. Young males and females are brick or dark brown in color. Horns, curved backward in a semicircle and consisting of a large number of rings, are found in individuals of both sexes. Sable antelopes live in the steppes from Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia to the southern part of the African continent.

Canna, she's the same common eland(Taurotragus oryx)

the largest antelope in the world. Externally, the eland is similar to, only slimmer, and the dimensions of the animal are impressive: the height at the withers of adult individuals is 1.5 meters, the body length reaches 2-3 meters, and the body weight can be from 500 to 1000 kg. The common eland has a yellow-brown coat that becomes grey-blue on the neck and shoulders as it ages. Males are distinguished by pronounced folds of skin on the neck and a bizarre tuft of hair on the forehead. The distinctive features of the antelope are from 2 to 15 light stripes in the front part of the body, massive shoulders and curled straight horns that adorn both females and males. The eland's diet consists of grasses, foliage, as well as rhizomes and tubers, which the animals extract from the ground with their front hooves. The eland antelope lives on the plains and foothills throughout Africa, with the exception of the western and northern regions.

Pygmy antelope, she's the same dwarf antelope ( Neotragus pygmaeus)

The smallest of the antelopes, it belongs to the subfamily of true antelopes. The height of an adult animal barely reaches 20-23 cm (rarely 30 cm) with a body weight of 1.5 to 3.6 kg. A newborn dwarf antelope weighs about 300 g and can fit in the palm of a person. The hind limbs of the antelope are much longer than the front ones, so in case of alarm the animals are capable of jumping up to 2.5 m in length. Adults and young are the same color and have red-brown fur, with only the chin, belly, inner legs and tail tuft being white. Males grow miniature black horns in the shape of a cone and 2.5-3.5 cm long. The dwarf antelope feeds on leaves and fruits. The natural habitat of the mammals is the dense forests of West Africa: Liberia, Cameroon, Guinea, Ghana.

Common gazelle ( Gazella gazella)

an animal from the subfamily of true antelopes. The body length of the gazelle varies between 98-115 cm, weight - from 16 to 29.5 kg. Females are lighter than males and inferior to them in size by about 10 cm. The body of the common gazelle is thin, the neck and legs are long, the croup of the mammal is crowned with a tail 8-13 cm long. The horns of males reach 22-29 cm in length, while females have shorter horns - only 6 -12 cm. The color of the coat along the back and on the sides is dark brown, on the belly, croup and on the inside of the legs the coat is white. Often this color border is divided by a spectacular dark stripe. A distinctive feature of the species is a pair of white stripes on the face that run vertically from the horns through the eyes to the nose of the animal. The common gazelle lives in semi-desert and desert areas of Israel and Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Yemen, Lebanon and Oman.

or black-footed antelope ( Aepyceros melampus)

The body length of representatives of this species varies between 120-160 cm with a height at the withers of 75-95 cm and a weight of 40 to 80 kg. Males wear lyre-shaped horns, the length of which often exceeds 90 cm. The coat color is brown, with the sides being slightly lighter. The belly, chest area, as well as the neck and chin are white. The hind legs have bright black stripes on either side, and there is a tuft of black hair above the hooves. The impala's habitat covers Kenya, Uganda, extending to the savannas of South Africa and the territory of Botswana. One population lives separately on the border of Angola and Namibia, and is distinguished as an independent subspecies (Aepyceros melampus petersi).

Saiga antelope or saiga ( Saiga tatarica)

an animal from the subfamily of true antelopes. The body length of the saiga ranges from 110 to 146 cm, weight from 23 to 40 kg, height at the withers 60-80 cm. The body has an elongated shape, the limbs are thin and rather short. Only males bear lyre-shaped yellowish-whitish horns. A characteristic feature of the appearance of saigas is the nose: it looks like a movable soft trunk with nostrils as close as possible and gives the animal’s muzzle a certain hunchback. The color of the saiga antelope varies depending on the time of year: in summer the fur is yellow-red, darkening towards the back line and lighter on the belly; in winter the fur takes on a grayish-clay tint. Saigas live in the territory of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, are found in Turkmenistan, western Mongolia and Uzbekistan; in Russia, their habitat covers the Astrakhan region, the steppes of Kalmykia, and the Altai Republic.

Zebra duiker ( Cephalophus zebra)

a mammal of the forest duiker genus. The body length of the duiker is 70-90 cm with a weight of 9 to 20 kg and a height at the withers of 40-50 cm. The body of the animal is squat, with developed muscles and a characteristic curve on the back. The legs are short, with widely spaced hooves. Both sexes have short horns. The coat of the zebra duiker is distinguished by a light orange color; a “zebra” pattern of black stripes is clearly visible on the body - their number varies from 12 to 15 pieces. The animal's habitat is limited to a small area in West Africa: the zebra duiker chooses dense tropical thickets as its place of residence in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Ivory Coast.

Jeyran ( Gazella subgutturosa)

an animal from the genus of gazelles, the bovid family. The body length of the gazelle ranges from 93 to 116 cm, with a weight of 18 to 33 kg and a height at the withers of 60 to 75 cm. The head of males is decorated with black lyre-shaped horns with transverse rings; females are usually hornless, although some individuals have small rudimentary horns of about 3 -5 cm in length. The back and sides of the gazelle are sand-colored, the belly, neck and limbs on the inside are white. The tip of the tail is always black. Young animals have a clearly defined pattern on the face: it is represented by a brown spot in the bridge of the nose and a pair of dark stripes running from the eyes to the corners of the mouth. The gazelle lives in mountainous regions, desert and semi-desert zones in Armenia, Georgia, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, and is found in southern Mongolia, Iran, Pakistan, Azerbaijan and China.

A majestic animal strides steadily across hot savannas and steppes. The antelope is famous not only for its stunning appearance and grace, but also for its lightning-fast reaction and speed, which allows them to immediately hide at the first sign of danger. When mentioning these animals, every person will certainly imagine how a large African antelope with long horns stands warily under the rays of the hot sun. But not everyone realizes how different representatives of a large and confused group can be. This is due primarily to the fact that their classification is unstable and does not have a clear structure. Antelopes include all bovids that are not included in other genera, families and subfamilies. Currently, there are more than 100 species of these animals.

Antelopes have adapted well to a wide variety of climatic conditions. If you look at the habitat of these animals, you can say with confidence that they are literally scattered across the planet.

Many are accustomed to the fact that horned beauties are found only in the savannas of Africa. This misconception may have arisen due to the fact that the overwhelming number of species of the bovid group live on this continent. However, some species of antelope are found in the steppes of Central Asia, Europe (Caucasus, Alps), India, North and South America.

The antelope usually lives in places with a hot, dry climate, where all kinds of grasses grow well. Animals feel great in deserts, semi-deserts and steppes. An open area allows herbivores to notice a sneaking predator in time and quickly escape to a safe distance. Among them are the famous antelopes from Africa: wildebeest, great kudu, nimble gazelles of Thompson and Speke, impalas. The steppe antelope, saiga, lives in the semi-deserts of Central Asia. The deserts of Arabia are home to the rare oryx.

Another group of graceful bovids chose the forests. The eland, which looks like a strange mixture of a bull and a goat, adapts well to both forests and mountains. Often living in dense thickets, bovids are somewhat reminiscent of deer. Nyala from Africa almost never leaves the dense forest. Tiny babies are hiding in the thickets: dik-dik and duiker.

The bravest animals have mastered the mountainous areas. Some African antelopes, such as sassas (or klipspringers), are considered the best jumpers in their group. With the smallest supporting area of their legs among artiodactyls, these babies are able to overcome chasms without problems and cheerfully jump along the steepest slopes. Caucasian and Alpine chamois mainly live on snowy mountain peaks, only descending into the forests in severe winter.

Some groups chose places near swamps and ponds. Antelope from Africa with the strange name “kob” are attached to permanent rivers and feed on vegetation growing on the banks and at the bottom. This graceful animal lives not far from the harsh Sahara. In open forests with a large number of reservoirs there lives a not at all large antelope - the redunka, or nagor.

Due to human activities, the habitats of some antelope species have significantly decreased. Pollution of water bodies, urban construction and agriculture are pushing artiodactyls out of their natural habitat.

What do antelopes look like?

About the horns

The name “antelope” itself is translated from Greek as “horned animal”. Indeed, each species of this large interesting group can boast of its own special crown.

If you look at the representatives of all families, you will notice that their horns are completely different. They differ not only in diameter, but also in length (from 2 cm to 1.5 m), color and shape. This bone formation, unlike the antlers of deer and pronghorn, is firmly connected to the skull and does not branch.

The most unusual and beautiful crown is considered to be the crown of the vintohorns. It has an interesting, spiral shape. Unfortunately, it was precisely because of this that the great kudu, an African antelope with long horns (more than a meter), strongly twisted in a corkscrew, found itself on the verge of extinction. The species is now under protection.

The great kudu from Africa has the longest horns in the world, usually reaching a length of one to one and a half meters (the record is 1.8 m).

Waterbucks living near permanent bodies of water have lyre-shaped (double-curved) horns. Their crown is usually large (from 50 to 90 cm in different species). Only the secretive common rednecks have straight (slightly curved to the sides) and small (slightly more than 20 cm) horns.

Peleia, or roe deer, is the only representative of the roe deer antelope genus. These small, graceful animals from Africa, weighing about 20 kg, have short, straight, but sharp and durable horns, allowing them to defend themselves from predators.

Representatives of the saber-horned subfamily, which in appearance resemble strange horses, are endowed with very long horns. The shape and thickness of different genera are different: addaxes have wide and twisted horns, horse antelopes have horns strongly curled back in the form of a semicircle, oryxes have thin, straight or slightly curved horns of very long length.

Cow antelopes are one of the largest representatives of their group. The bubala received its second name because of its elongated skull, slightly reminiscent of a bull’s head. One of the characteristics of these large artiodactyls from Africa is that both males and females have short, curved horns.

Gazelles are miniature owners of a straight or slightly curved crown. This antelope from the Asian steppes and Africa is very fast, and its thin, light horns do not interfere with its running.

Impalas boast some of the most beautiful head decorations. This African antelope with long horns (about a meter) curved in a wedge proudly wears a “V”-shaped crown.

But baby duikers are considered the most modest. Their straight horns do not exceed 10 cm in length.

About physique

All antelopes are very strong and hardy animals. However, the structure and texture of their body is also different, depending on their habitat.

Thus, the wildebeest from hot Africa has slender long legs, powerful enough to cover long distances. The body is large with a small hump behind the back. The powerful neck is covered with a kind of “mane”. And the head resembles a cow's. It seems that the wildebeest was assembled from parts of different animals.

Gazelles are very thin and graceful. These artiodactyls have a long flexible neck, which allows them to quickly look around and get leaves from trees. Due to their rather small size, gazelles become prey for many predators. The beauties need to reach the highest possible speed in order to survive. Thin but strong legs allow gazelles to jump high, accelerating and maneuvering.

The saiga antelope has an unusual adaptation. In the conditions of the dusty steppe, his unusual nose hanging down on his lower lip becomes simply necessary. Inside the proboscis, the cavities are covered with mucous glands that trap particles of sand and other debris.

And the giraffe gazelle from Africa also has an unusual appearance, completely consistent with its name. The long neck of the animal allows it to easily, standing on two legs, eat leaves of trees where most herbivores cannot reach them.

What do antelopes eat?

Antelopes live in quite extreme places: in snowy mountains, dry steppes and hot savannas, impenetrable forests. In fact, the diet of animals differs in different climate zones. What an antelope usually eats is determined even by the terrain (mountains, swamps, forests, plains). So, the diet of different representatives of this group may include:

grass;
leaves of trees and shrubs;
aquatic and coastal vegetation;
fresh branches;
young shoots;
flowers;
fruits;
moss;
lichen;
roots.

Antelopes are ruminants, which allows them to digest even the toughest grass and leaves. Cellulose contained in some parts of plants is not digestible by the stomachs of many herbivores. Bovids have adapted to process this substance by chewing their food twice.

It is said that many antelopes are able to find food almost anywhere. A keen sense of smell and natural ingenuity will always find a solution to a difficult situation. Therefore, what bovids eat may change at different times of the year.

Armed and very dangerous

In the wild, only those who are able to adapt better survive. Antelopes are constantly in danger of being eaten by predators. But these seemingly harmless animals also have their own trump cards up their sleeves.

The gazelle's main weapon is its graceful but strong legs. They save her from being chased by predators. Bovids run very quickly, successfully maneuver and jump, thereby confusing the attacker. In addition, when finding themselves in a hopeless situation (for example, protecting a cub), artiodactyls begin to kick their hooves.

The most noticeable weapon of these animals is their horns. And the graceful artiodactyls use their “decoration” not only for games and mating battles, but also for defense. As a rule, representatives of both sexes of the bovid family have formidable bone weapons. For example, the oryx, an African antelope with long horns, can use a kind of “saber” to fight off its enemies, inflicting severe deep wounds.

Forewarned is forearmed. In the wild, this phrase is almost the most important law of survival. The sooner the herbivore notices the predator, the greater the chance of escape. The antelope is a real spy animal. Her large ears, widely spaced to the sides, like radars, intensely listen to all the rustling of the grass. The eyes, also located on the sides, allow antelopes to see the approach of a predator. These animals also have a highly developed sense of smell.

Antelopes, like any herbivores, have stereoscopic vision. Their eyes are located on both sides of the head, which provides almost all-round vision. These herbivores, unlike predators, have excellent color vision (which allows them to determine the edibility of vegetation). Their eyes focus on stationary objects and are almost unable to see anything in the absence of light.

Sneaking up on one antelope unnoticed is a very difficult task. These animals are almost never left alone. They live in peculiar herd families, which allows them to observe almost the entire area in the area. If one individual from the herd notices a predator, it will immediately notify everyone else with a special signal.

Lifestyle

Antelopes most often lead a diurnal lifestyle. In the light of the sun, it is much easier for these animals to notice a predator and find food. Bovids are forced to lead a nomadic lifestyle, constantly moving across endless pastures, forests or mountains.

Antelopes often live in large herd families. The hierarchy and structure of associations differs significantly among different species. Thus, among pronghorns from Africa, the leader of the herd (there is no clear hierarchy or family ties) is the female, who directs her relatives to a new pasture or body of water. Impalas have unique harems. The leader male guards a group of several females with cubs.

Antelopes sleep very little. During the day, they occasionally doze, standing on their feet or lying down with their legs crossed. In case of danger, the animal instantly wakes up and begins to flee.

Many African antelopes with long horns gather in herds. It's much safer this way. Some animals guard the rest, then they are replaced.

Antelope breeding

Many antelopes have a well-defined breeding season. Mating games begin in February-April, towards the end of the rainy season. Each species expects its babies to appear at the beginning of the wet season, when there is plenty of food.

Antelope pregnancy lasts differently. The larger the size of the individual in the species, the longer the cub is born. For example, the eland, an African antelope with long horns, bears babies for 9 months, and the tiny dik-dik for 6 months.

Mating games are also different. Some species engage in duels. During the duel, the winner is determined on the horns and receives a harem. Other male antelopes gather a group of females, protecting them from strangers.

Babies are born quite strong and literally within a few minutes they get to their feet. Most cubs begin to immediately follow their mother. In some species of bovids, babies hide in special shelters.

Antelope species

If you look at all the antelopes, it’s easy to see how different they are. And this is no coincidence! This motley group of animals includes several families. Sometimes they include some species of bulls and goats. Antelope species are shown by a list of subfamilies:

real antelopes;
saberhorns (saber-horned antelopes);
roe deer (roe antelope);
cow antelopes (harbers);
dwarf antelopes;
waterbucks;
pronghorns;
impalas;
some bulls and goats;
crested antelopes (duikers).

You will learn about extinct species and genera a little later. Next, let's look at the most interesting representatives of this group.

wildebeest

The wildebeest is one of the most famous herbivores from Africa. They got their unusual and even slightly menacing name from the mooing sounds they make.

There are currently two subspecies of wildebeest: white-tailed (or black) and blue. The first one is considered very rare. White-tailed wildebeest live only in southern Africa (Namibia), and blue ones live a little further north, in Kenya. It is easy to distinguish these two species from each other. The white wildebeest has horns directed slightly forward, the hair on the mane and tail is white, while the blue wildebeest has horns set apart and the hair is black.

The unusual and slightly strange appearance of the animal seemed to influence its character. The wildebeest has an extremely unstable mood. An animal grazing peacefully can suddenly jump up, start butting the air and rush around the area angrily. If this is not enough for the wildebeest, it will attack the first resident of Africa (even an elephant).

One of the most fascinating phenomena of the animal world is the migration of bovids. Each large antelope joins the general migration in search of pastures. The timing of migration is not clearly established. Each year, animals can “advance the schedule.”

Wildebeest are animals with highly developed social contact. Herbivores will always help out a herd member in trouble.

Canna

The eland antelope is the largest animal in the bovid family. Its body length is 2-3 meters, and its weight is from 500 to 1000 kg! Despite its serious size, this African antelope with long horns looks very slender.

Cannas are reddish-ocher from birth. However, their fur darkens over the years, acquiring a gray-blue tint.

Cannas live in northern Africa, where they thrive on the plains. Animals feed on fruits, leaves and grass. Despite their external gracefulness, these antelopes are quite slow (although, if necessary, they can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h). Elands are known as excellent jumpers: from a standing position they can jump over a distance of more than three meters.

This African antelope with long horns lends itself well to domestication. Cannes are grown for their milk, which is several times fattier and healthier than cow's milk, and meat.

These animals are quite peaceful and try not to displace smaller herbivores from their territory. In addition, they try their best to avoid unnecessary fights. Males communicate before meeting, sending signals to each other about their age, size, and size of horns. Opponents evaluate their strength, and the weaker leaves the territory.

The royal, or dwarf, antelope is considered the smallest in its group. Her height does not exceed 30 cm and her weight is no more than 4 kg.

The legs of cute babies from Africa are thin, but very strong. When in danger, the animal can jump 2.5 meters high. The body is small, oval with a characteristic light brown skin. These are very peaceful animals, so fights between males occur infrequently. This is why the black horns of representatives of the species are small (3-4 centimeters).

These little ones live in the tropical forests of West Africa. They lead an active nocturnal lifestyle, hiding in the morning and during the day. Unfortunately, their small size makes the species difficult to study. The list of questions that scientists have accumulated is only growing every year. It is known that representatives of the species live separately.

It is believed that the royal antelope from Africa acquired its miniature size in order to reach what it feeds on - leaves from the lowest tiers. The fact is that each herbivore is adapted to a specific type of vegetation.

Sagaks (or margaches) live in the steppe expanses of Asia. This slightly clumsy antelope, all species of which were until some time in danger of extinction, is easily recognizable. A large nose hanging down to the lower lip is a kind of adaptation to harsh living conditions. The proboscis allows you to filter air that is heavily clogged with dust.

The saiga's nose is able to regulate the temperature and humidity of incoming oxygen. A large number of blood vessels in the proboscis heat or cool the air, and the mucous membranes soften too dry air. The nose is also capable of emitting various sounds and signals.

These medium-sized antelopes weigh up to 80 kg. Their body is long, and their legs are short and strong. Saigas gather in large herds: in the summer they migrate together, and in the winter they keep warm.

On average, each female gives birth to two cubs (less often three or one). For several days, the mother hides her baby in a shelter where the baby saiga lies motionless. Only after this time do margachi as a large family begin to graze.

The steppes of Asia have very hot, dry summers and cold winters with strong winds. This is why the fur coat of saigas changes seasonally: thin in summer, and dense with undercoat in winter.

The gerenuk, or giraffe gazelle, has a very interesting appearance. The animal's name describes her quite accurately. The long, very thin neck and legs allow the gerenuk to reach leaves on the highest branches.

The height of the giraffe gazelle (at the withers) is 95 cm with a very small weight of 30-50 kg. Small black horns are found only on males. The body of the animal is slender and reddish in color.

Gerenuks live in semi-desert treeless areas. They never form groups. Males jealously defend their territory.

Oryx, an African antelope with long horns, is known throughout the world as a famous swordsman. Their slightly curved crown can reach a length of about 90 cm. These animals received their second name - oryx - for their large physique, reminiscent of a bull, and a beautiful striped pattern on the muzzle, like mountain chamois.

Oryxes live in dry deserts and semi-deserts. They are protected from the heat of the sun by a thick, light skin that reflects the rays. In addition, this African antelope with long horns can live without water for several weeks!

Oryx are able to sense moisture several kilometers away. They rarely manage to find bodies of water. They receive all the necessary moisture from sparse vegetation.

Oryx live in small herds, led by a male leader. The association is characterized by a strict hierarchy. The leader guards his ladies with their babies, who walk in the herd right behind him. At the end come the subordinate males.

Oryx are real long-livers among antelopes. In natural conditions, they live on average 18 years!

This African antelope with long horns uses its saber-like weapon in the fight for the female. Duels take place according to special rules. The males stand shoulder to shoulder with each other and begin to fence with their horns. Often this is where it all ends. Oryxes do not allow bloodshed.

Extinct antelopes

The diversity of antelopes is marred by serious losses. Already fourteen genera of these beautiful animals are completely extinct. Among them are both the ancient inhabitants of our planet and those who lived more recently. Let's take a look at some antelopes lost forever to the world.

Tragocerus appeared on our planet about 30 million years ago. These ancient animals lived in the savannas and forest-steppes of Africa. Their gregarious lifestyle is evidenced by the remains found in groups.

These were small (no more than 90 cm in height) antelopes quickly spread across the continent, adapting to a wide variety of vegetation. Goats became extinct about 5 million years ago due to a sharp drying of the climate, and then cooling.

It’s not for nothing that saigas are called living fossils. These animals have maintained their unchanged appearance for more than 250 thousand years! Traditionally, saigas are considered a steppe Asian antelope, but in 1876, geologist Ivan Dementievich Chersky found the skull of a margacha in cold Yakutia.

It turns out that these antelopes lived at the same time as mammoths. It was under conditions of extremely low temperatures and lack of food that the famous margacha nose was formed.

The blue antelope became the first large herbivore in Africa to become extinct due to human causes. Their habitat was very small (4 thousand square kilometers) and was located in the very south of the continent. Although, judging by the rock paintings, in ancient times it was much larger.

The animal was discovered by Europeans in the 18th century. The antelope got its name because of the slightly bluish tint of its skin, which “shone through” the skin. The animal's horns were medium in size, in the shape of a curved saber. In appearance, the blue antelope was a typical representative of horse antelopes, only somewhat smaller and more graceful.

Rare animals began to be mercilessly killed for the sake of beautiful skin and just for fun. The meat was fed to dogs, as it was completely tasteless. The blue antelope constantly needed water, so it was vulnerable and could not escape.

The last representative of the species died in 1799 (or 1800). For local peoples, this loss was even more painful: the animal was considered a protector from dark forces and evil spirits.

Now only four stuffed blue antelopes and several bone fragments have survived.

Red gazelle

Red gazelles lived in the sediment-rich Atlas Mountains of northern Africa. Unfortunately, almost nothing is known about these animals. Three stuffed animals have survived, which were purchased at the Algerian market at the end of the 19th century. The last representative of the species was killed in 1894 while hunting. The red gazelle was officially recognized as extinct only a century later.

Enemies of antelopes in nature

In the wild, antelopes always have enough offenders. These graceful animals become a desirable meal for many predators. Most often, cubs, old, sick and young individuals who cannot fully defend themselves and run away die.

In African savannas, bovids are hunted by large predators. Lions, leopards, hyena dogs, and cheetahs often attack antelopes helpless in the dark. In addition, many herbivores die in the teeth of crocodiles when crossing rivers. And miniature artiodactyls, for example, dik-diks, are periodically attacked by large birds of prey (falcons, vultures, eagles) and smaller carnivores (foxes, jackals).

Chamois living in high mountains also hide from their enemies. High gorges are a good refuge, but when animals descend lower, danger awaits them. , golden eagles, foxes, leopards, lynxes and eagles tirelessly attack the agile chamois.

And the forest inhabitants have more than enough enemies. Wolves, jaguars, tigers, wolverines are waiting for them in the thickets, preparing to attack. The cubs are in danger because they cannot yet detect the approach of a predator.

In the dry steppes, antelopes are hunted by corsac foxes, caracals, wolves, peregrine falcons, eagles and kites. They attack old and young saigas, which they take away from the herd.

The main enemy of gazelles is man. People, violating the laws of nature, kill strong and healthy animals without any need for food. It is man who is to blame for the disappearance of several species of beautiful bovids and bringing others to a critical state.

Now they are trying to “rehabilitate” endangered artiodactyls in national parks and zoos. Thus, the Saharan oryx population, which had been restored over several decades, was recently returned to nature.

Even in the Middle Ages, antelope was rarely found on the coats of arms of European kingdoms and cities. Although, if you see her image, you will hardly recognize her as a creature with the head of a tiger, on which there are terrible horns with jagged edges, huge boar tusks, thick long hair on the neck and a lion’s tail. All that was left of this strange chimera was its body. This creature was featured on the emblem of King Henry V. In heraldry, such an image symbolizes grace, speed, and a spiritual ideal. Now antelopes (in the form familiar to humans) adorn the coats of arms of Uganda and Zimbabwe.

In 2009, paleontologists discovered an ancient antelope in Kenya. For now, the animal only has the scientific name “Rusingoryx atopocranion.” The ancient herbivore lived approximately in the same place where the famous wildebeest now lives. The skeleton, which is already several thousand years old, is very well preserved. This enabled scientists to establish that the structure and appearance of the animal are almost the same as that of the wildebeest. Only one detail stands out: in the nose of the ancient mammal there are bone ridges that worked like vuvuzelas. Similar mechanisms allowing ultrasound communication were found in some species of dinosaurs.

Not all antelopes have only two horns. In India there live small animals, about 60 cm in height. Of all bovids, four-horned antelopes can boast of having two pairs of bone growths. Now this species is under threat, as the animal was actively hunted due to its unusual head and tasty meat.

The pronghorn, an African antelope with long horns, has very good eyesight. Its large eyes, located on the sides of its head, act like powerful binoculars. Scientists have calculated that the pronghorn sees everything as clearly as a lens with eight times magnification.

A male eland has a strand of hair growing on its head throughout its life. From these beams the age of the animal can be determined. Old antelopes have long and thick hair.

A well-trained athlete can reach a speed of 45 km/h, but most of us run no faster than 30 km/h. When it comes to running, man is by no means the king of nature. Many animals are able to move much faster.

Today we offer Top 10 fastest animals in the world. It includes only land dwellers, although it is worth noting that there are champions on the water and in the air. Thus, a sailfish can swim at a speed of 110 km/h, and a peregrine falcon dives at its prey, demonstrating 90 km/h.

10. Hyena (speed - 60 km/h)

This predator is common in Africa, India and the Middle East. Their impressive speed allows hyenas to hunt even such fast and large animals as zebra and wildebeest. In one sitting, a predator can eat up to 15 kg of meat.

9. Gray fox (speed – 65 km/h)

This species from the wolf family lives in northern Canada, the USA and Central America. The gray fox not only runs fast, but also deftly climbs trees. Its prey includes rabbits, birds and small rodents.

8. Coyote (speed - 65 km/h)

The American wolf is practically omnivorous and extremely unpretentious. The diet is based on animal food: hares, prairie dogs, gophers, small rodents, raccoons, ferrets and beavers, as well as birds and insects. Coyote swims well and catches fish and frogs. In autumn it eats fruits and berries. Occasionally attacks small livestock and rummages through garbage.

7. Moose (speed 72 km/h)

A large and strong elk does not often become the prey of predators, and it is not easy to catch up with it at such speed. Sokhaty is the largest representative of the deer family. The moose not only runs well, but also swims well. These animals travel 10-15 km a day in search of food.

6. Thompson's Gazelle (speed - 80 km/h)

The gazelle got its name in honor of explorer Joseph Thompson. The main enemy of the gazelle is the swift cheetah. Therefore, to have any chance of salvation, she needs to be able to run fast. Unlike its pursuer, Thompson's gazelle can run quickly for quite a long time.

5. Lion (speed - 80 km/h)

The lionesses take on most of the food-gathering responsibilities in a pride. But if necessary, then lions have no problem chasing down the victim they like. By the way, the lion is the heaviest among all the participants in our speedy Top 10.

4. Kulan (speed – 70 km/h)

As a rule, these equids are leisurely and may even seem lazy. But in a moment of danger, the animal develops speed that allows it to escape from more predators.

3. Wildebeest (speed – 80 km/h)

These antelopes are a favorite delicacy of lions. That is why nature endowed them with such outstanding running abilities. By the way, unlike the heavy lion, the wildebeest can easily carry its light body over much longer distances.

2. Pronghorn (pronghorn antelope) (speed - 100 km/h)

And this antelope is most often attacked by cheetahs. Naturally, it is not easy to compete with such a lightning-fast hunter. The advantage of the pronghorn is its hardy heart, which allows it to run even when the predator is already exhausted.

1. Cheetah (speed – 120 km/h)

The fastest animal in the world from among those living on land. True, the cheetah is not able to run for a long time at such a speed, but more often than not, a few seconds are enough to drive down the prey. The cheetah accelerates to a record speed of 120 km/h in just 3 seconds. But before 100 km/h in just 2.6-2.8 seconds.

Antelope (antelopes) is the common name for mammals from the order Artiodactyla, family Bovidae (lat. Bovidae). The name “antelope” comes from the Middle Greek word ἀνθόλοψ, meaning “horned animal”.

Antelope - description, characteristics, structure.

Despite the fact that different species of antelope belong to different genera and subfamilies, they all share some distinctive features. Some animals have a graceful physique, others are heavier and more massive, but all antelopes have long, slender legs.

Average height Most antelope species are about 100 cm with a body weight of about 150 kg. The largest antelope, the common eland (lat. Taurotragus oryx), has a height of 1.6 m, a body length of about 3 m, and the weight of individual specimens reaches 1 ton. The height at the withers of the dwarf antelope (lat. Neotragus pygmaeus) is only 25-30 cm, and the weight of the dwarf antelope varies between 1.5 and 3.6 kg.

Body Antelopes are covered with short, stiff hair, the color of which is dominated by bright, vibrant colors from red-brown to chestnut and blue-black. Some species of artiodactyls are colored sandy and gray; in some antelopes, the juicy main color of the body contrasts with a pure white belly.

Males Many antelopes have a short mane running along the spine and a thick beard. The tails of antelopes end in a tuft of hair - a tassel. Many species of antelope, like deer, have preorbital lacrimal glands, with the secretion of which males mark their territory.

Elongated heads All antelopes are decorated with antlers that grow throughout their lives, differ in a variety of shapes and sizes, but never branch, like, for example, deer. Horns are represented by 1 pair, with the exception of the four-horned antelope (it has 2 pairs of horns). In some species of antelope, only the males bear horns, while in other species, horns adorn the heads of both sexes. The length of antelope horns varies from 2 cm to 1.5 meters, and their shape can be very diverse: in some species the horns are curved back in the form of a long saber, in others they have cow-type horns or are twisted with a screw and assembled from numerous rings.

Antelope is a shy animal and is famous for its quick reaction to danger. Thanks to the long legs Antelopes are excellent runners and are among the ten fastest animals on the planet: the speed of the wildebeest reaches 55-80 km/h, and the American pronghorn antelope, if necessary, accelerates to 88.5 km/h and is second only to the cheetah in running speed.

Where does the antelope live?

Antelopes have adapted well to a wide variety of climatic conditions. If you look at the habitat of these animals, you can say with confidence that they are literally scattered across the planet.

What do antelopes eat?

grass;
leaves of trees and shrubs;
aquatic and coastal vegetation;
fresh branches;
young shoots;
flowers;
fruits;
moss;
lichen;
roots.

Antelopes are ruminants, which allows them to digest even the toughest grass and leaves. Cellulose contained in some parts of plants is not digestible by the stomachs of many herbivores. Bovids have adapted to process this substance by chewing their food twice.

Antelopes. Kinds

Antelope Kudu

Kudu(Tragelaphus strepsiceros) are one of the largest African antelopes. The fur of these graceful animals is brown with 6-10 vertical light stripes along the body. Males have impressive spiral-shaped horns growing on their heads, about 1.5 meters long.

The kudu wears its luxurious horns proudly, and on occasion it menacingly displays them to its opponent. As soon as the enemy tries to get around the antelope, the kudu turns its horns towards him again. And when a small herd of antelopes is resting in a meadow, they lie down on the grass in a special way: as if forming a large star, always looking in different directions so as not to miss danger.

Springbok Antelope

Springbok(Antidorcas marsupialis) is Dutch for leaping antelope. These animals are capable of jumping up to 3.5 meters in height and up to 15 meters in length. In addition, springboks are noted for their incredible athletic achievements: they not only jump skillfully, but also rush with all their might, reaching speeds of up to 90 km/h.

Dik-dik ordinary

Dik-dik ordinary(Madoqua kirkii) is a miniature antelope that lives in the forests of East Africa. The height of the animal does not exceed 40 cm, and the dik-dik can easily fit on a person’s hand.

Antelopes get their name from the loud "dik-dik" call they make. They use their whistling voice to find a mate or to warn their relatives about the approach of an enemy.

Antelope addax

Antelope addax(Addax nasomaculatus) boasts an amazing property: it can go without drinking for months, being content with the moisture it receives from feed. In the body's ability to survive without moisture for months, the antelope even surpassed the camel.

Garna antelope

Graceful and subtle Garna antelope(Antilope cervicapra) of medium size: body length up to 120 cm, horns 46 - 69 cm, weight 32 - 43 kg. Garns live in herds of 5 to 50 individuals. Today the species is found primarily in India, with a small population still existing in Nepal.

Antelope dibatag

Preferred habitat dibataga(Ammodorcas clarkei) consists of sandy areas with scattered shrubs and grasses on arid, low-lying plains. One of the very rare dibatag antelopes, it is found exclusively in the Ogaden region of eastern Ethiopia and adjacent parts of northern and central Somalia.

Saiga or saiga

A critically endangered species saiga or saiga(Saiga tatarica). Saigas form herds of 30-40 animals. However, during the migration season, tens of thousands of saigas will travel together, part of one of the most spectacular migrations in the world.

Beira Antelope

Beira(Dorcatragus megalotis) is a dwarf antelope that lives only in a relatively small area that covers northern Somalia and Djibouti. With a body length of 80 cm and a weight of 10 kg, the beira is colored reddish-brown. Only males have horns, which are about 9 cm long and straight. The habitat of these antelopes is rocky semi-desert. In mountainous areas, Beiras live in small herds of up to seven animals, which are grouped around a male.

Antelope Grisbok

Although grisbok(Raphicerus melanotis) is quite common in parts of South Africa, small and secretive it is rare. Grysbok is primarily nocturnal and relies on its keen sense of smell and hearing to navigate safely and efficiently at night. It rests during the day and is sometimes active in the early morning or late evening.

Roe deer antelope, or pelea

Roe deer antelope, or pelea(Pelea capreolus) resident of South Africa. It has a length of 1.15 to 1.25 m and weighs between 20 and 30 kg. Roe deer antelope is active during the day and tries to rest in the shade at midday. These antelopes can form two types of social groups. The first consists of females and one dominant male (usually about 8 animals, but can reach 30). Another social group consists of solitary males. During mating, fights often occur between dominant and lone males, and often one of the participants in the fight may be killed.

White oryx

Ideally adapted to life in the deserts of Asia white oryx(Oryx leucoryx) is a medium-sized antelope. Besides humans, wolves are the only enemy of the white oryx. Its average lifespan is up to 20 years. Both sexes have long, straight or slightly curved annular horns ranging from 50 to 75 cm in length.

impala antelope

Widely distributed in the savannas of Africa impala(Aepyceros melampus). In this species, only the males have S-shaped horns ranging from 45 to 90 cm in length. These horns are heavily ribbed, thin, and the tips are far apart.

Wildebeest

wildebeest(Connochaetes taurinus), which is common in eastern and southern Africa from Kenya to eastern Namibia, can be found in a wide variety of habitats, from dense scrub to open floodplain forests. However, these antelopes seem to prefer savannas and plains with fast-growing grasses, as well as soil with moderate levels of moisture. The weight of wildebeest ranges from 118 kg to 270 kg. Adult males are usually darker than females. Wildebeests are marked with dark vertical stripes on their shoulders and back. They also have a mane and beard, usually white.

Reproduction of antelopes.

Antelopes are peaceful, social animals and usually live in close, close-knit groups. The male and female form a monogamous pair and remain faithful to each other throughout their lives. A related group, led by a pair, usually includes from 5 to 12 young individuals; the male antelope guards the territory, the female searches for pastures and safe places for rest and overnight. Young sexually mature males sometimes create bachelor groups and, not having a permanent mate, lay claim to any female that enters their territory.

The mating season of antelopes depends on their habitat: in some varieties it is permanent, in others it is confined to a specific season. Antelopes reach sexual maturity at the age of 16-18 months. Young females form small groups that attract the attention of males. The strongest male deserves the right to own a female. Fights break out between the males when the opponents come together, as if in a ring, and clash their horns. Before a fight, males of some species yawn, stick out their tongues and raise their tails, demonstrating their indifference and superiority to the enemy.

One interesting feature of the wildebeest is still a mystery to scientists. A group of calmly grazing animals suddenly, without any reason, breaks into a mad dance, making huge jumps and lunges from a standing position, as well as kicking their hind legs. A minute later, the “pandemonium” ends just as suddenly, and the animals continue to peacefully nibble the grass, as if nothing had happened.
Jumping antelopes (lat. Oreotragus oreotragus) in addition to the main coat have hollow hair loosely connected to the skin, which is typical only for this species of antelope and white-tailed deer.
In some species of antelope, the long neck and articulated structure of the hip joints allow the animals to stand on their hind legs and, leaning their front legs on a tree trunk, reach tree branches, like giraffes.

Duiker antelope- the most dwarf ungulate, whose height at the withers does not exceed 25 cm, with a weight of up to three kilograms. Antelope-dik-dik only a few centimeters taller than her friend, but a whole kilogram lighter than her. These babies live in groves of trees and thickets of bushes, where it is easier for them to hide from predators. Oribi antelope slightly larger than them. The taller male of this species is up to 50 cm tall, and his head is decorated with small black ringed horns. Oribis are covered with a very beautiful skin. It is red on the back and snow-white on the belly. This antelope has white semicircles above its eyes, and long white stripes go under its throat.

If small antelopes live mainly in pairs, then medium-sized ones prefer to stay in herds. Herds Thompson's gazelles can reach fifty heads. These are small antelopes, up to 60-70 cm tall and weighing up to 20 kg. They are easily distinguished by wide black stripes running horizontally across the entire body from the neck to the black tail. Grant's Gazelle has long lyre-shaped horns, despite the fact that its height does not exceed 80 cm and its weight is 60 kg. She prefers herds of relatives of no more than 10-20 individuals. All gazelles are very shy, and males are always on duty to guard the herd. In case of danger, their body begins to tremble, and their tails begin to spin wildly. This signal tells the herd to immediately flee.

Desert Antelope Oryx, also called an oryx, is the size of a donkey, but has a very heroic character. There are cases when she boldly entered into battle with a lion and even stabbed him with her horns. And her horns are simply wonderful. Black and shiny, they are curved back and run like straight swords parallel to the back for a full meter in length, ending with very sharp tips. Oryx run very fast and therefore rarely fall prey to predators. Their skin is an unattractive brown color, but their faces are painted in a very unusual way. Along their white background there are four clear dark stripes, their pattern absolutely reminiscent of a bridle placed on the head. Why the oryx needs such a masquerade is known only to the Creator.

In low swampy places, overgrown with tall lush grass and small bushes, there are water, reed and bushbucks. The most interesting of them, waterbuck, is an outstanding all-around athlete. He is brave and fierce, runs great and swims even better. Long and wide hooves allow him to easily move through the quagmire of swamps and muddy river banks, where he likes to settle. The waterbuck loves to splash in the river and can swim even across a kilometer-long water barrier. Its height reaches up to 120 cm and weight up to 80 kg. The animal's skin is dark chestnut in color with a pronounced bluish tint, and its fur is very hard. The tip of the muzzle and lips are white. There are also white lines around the eyes. But most of all, this goat is decorated with a white shirt around its neck and a wide white ribbon that surrounds the tail and then runs down the legs to the hooves. A thick mane grows on the back of the animal’s head and meter-long, saber-shaped horns of a pale olive color protrude. The long thin tail ends in a brush, somewhat reminiscent of a shaving brush. The reedbuck, as its name suggests, prefers to lie in tall, coarse grass on low river banks. It is interesting because in case of danger it begins to whistle loudly, giving a signal to all the animals around it. And here spotted bushbuck, frightened by something, begins to bark almost like a dog.

Kudu antelopes are rightfully considered the owners of the most beautiful horns in Africa, which is why they are called horned. Their long horns are twisted into a spiral with a wide, powerful screw that goes straight up from their proud head. On its sides, large round ears stick out to the sides, reminiscent of motorcycle headlights. Male kudu, in addition to two-meter snake-like horns, have a thick, rather long beard growing from below along the entire neck, and there is a small hump on the back. The body of these antelopes is painted rather modestly and has only sparse whitish transverse stripes. However, the overall appearance of the animal is simply fabulous!

Springbok antelope has slightly curved, large straight horns and large erect ears. She has a brownish, tan back and a white chest and belly. There is a brown stripe running along her entire body, and black lines stretch from her eyes to her mouth. She is famous for the fact that she often makes completely unusual jumps called “pronking”. The springbok pushes off the ground at the same time with all four, and straight, legs and flies quite high into the air. After landing, similar subsequent jumps follow, with each of which she also flies three meters forward. It is generally accepted that in this way males give their females the command to line up.

Probably the most famous antelope in our country. The famous novel by Ilf and Petrov made her this way. Did you know that this is the most gregarious herbivorous animal on Earth. Herds of these antelopes can number up to 100,000 individuals each, especially during migration periods. More than 2 million wildebeest live in the Serengetti region alone. There are no less of them in other areas protected by people. True, it is very difficult to accurately count, since they constantly migrate and can cover up to 50 km a day, moving in a strict cavalcade one after another, guarded by old males. These are large antelopes, reaching one and a half meters in height and weighing up to 250 kg. They are brownish-brown in color, with a shaggy mane and a long tuft of chest hair hanging between the front legs. These antelopes have a chain of tufts of hair on their nose, and their large white tail reaches almost to the ground. The horns of the wildebeest first go down, and then bend upward in a semi-circle above the muzzle, resembling the shape of the handlebars of a racing bicycle. Local people call this antelope a wild bull, as the male has red glowing eyes, a steep thick neck and cloven hooves. He roars like a bull and really dislikes the color red, attacking people dressed like that. Females have lighter fur, a calmer disposition and are quite easy to tame. In my opinion, wildebeests are somewhat similar to a buffalo with their muzzle and horns, their bodies are similar to a horse, and their legs are similar to a deer. Although these animals are very sedate and disciplined when moving in a herd, in the pasture they can behave very noisily and playfully, quickly running after each other. Their pregnancy lasts 8 months, and a lot of young animals are born in each herd. But many calves also die from the teeth of lions and hyenas, so not every wildebeest lives to be 15 years old, its natural life span.

Eland- the largest of the antelope species that we have seen in Africa. Its height can reach up to 180 cm, and its weight can reach 800 kg. In appearance, she resembles an old overweight bull, although she has a disposition like a cow and the same big, kind and clear eyes. She has long and straight horns sticking up, with which the eland likes to tear off young tree branches. These reddish animals prefer to graze in waterless steppe expanses, where there are few predators, and therefore can go without water for a long time. Apparently, heavy and slow elands can also live for a long time without a sexual partner, since their males and females graze separately, in herds of 10 to 100 heads. However, local guides told us that eland are quite jumpy and can even climb mountains. On Kilimanjaro they were seen at an altitude of 4.5 km. Here are the heavyweights!

Statistics say that the largest antelope in Africa is still Elland antelope, whose weight reaches one ton, and whose height at the withers is almost two meters.

Based on materials from the book “7000 kilometers in Africa” by A.P. Redko.

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