There is also a giant sable antelope, a subspecies native to Angola that is now critically endangered. Sable antelope are included in our list of Africa’s most elegant antelope species, and Africa’s largest antelope species. Except they are not the easiest to find, nor are they very abundant. They are giants, measuring up to 1.4 metres at the shoulder and over two metres in length.Īdd on the horns and these antelope are among Africa’s most distinctive species. One of Africa’s largest antelopeĪdult sable antelope grow to over 200 kg. By kneeling down they can battle for power without destroying a rival. Sable choose not to engage in dangerous or debilitating action. Many antelope clash horns in battle and fatalities are relatively common. When bulls do decide to fight they drop to their knees and engage in lengthy horn wrestling battles. First they posture and attempt to show their dominance without resorting to battle. This kind of posturing is very similar to horses, who of course don’t have the horns.īulls compete for females and territory. When sable want to show off they will push their chest forward, raise their neck towards the sky, pull their shoulders back and present their magnificent horns. So their scientific name translates as “ black horse-like goat!” 3. Niger is the Latin word for black or dark-coloured. In Greek hippos means horse and tragos means a he-goat. They come from the same family as the roan antelope, bluebuck, bontebok and blesbok. They are named this way due to their powerful stature, thick necks and erect mane. Sable antelope are members of the hippotragini tribe of horse antelopes. But hippotragus niger! It sounds like a baddy from a Netflix series about Greek gods. Most animals have bizarre scientific names that nobody can remember. Unlike some antelope species females also develop horns, although these only grow to around 1 metre in length. Male sable antelope grow horns up to 1.6 metres in length. Slowly the horns arc backwards to give sable antelope their distinctive appearance. Each year they develop a new ring, so the sable’s horns can be used to determine age.Īt first they grow straight and tall. Sable grow these horns over an entire lifetime. 1.6 metres! A sable antelope’s horns can be longer than most people! To put 1.6 metres into perspective, it’s roughly the same length as an elephant’s tusk. Sable antelope horns can grow up to 1.6 metres in length Who would harm the sable antelope? Certainly nobody who knew the incredible facts behind this most magnificent of antelopes. They are majestic antelope, yet they are under threat due to habitat destruction and trophy hunting. With their astonishing horns and painted faces, sable antelope are one of Africa’s most iconic species.
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