The Antelope of africa
Sable antelope
Hippotragus nigerThe sable is also one of the most beautiful African antelope. Males are jet black on body and females are reddish-brown with both having a white underbelly.
Distribution
Once widely spread across the savanna's of Africa they are now only found in pockets in east, central and southern Africa.
Social structure
They live I herds of 20 – 40 individuals. Male territories will overlap the home ranges of breeding herds and the males will try and hold the females in his territory, especially if the females are in oestrus. He will defend his territory from other males by display or fighting as a last resort.
Range differentiation
No differences across the range.
Habitat
Areas of woodland savanna with long grass. Water is essential. They avoid open savanna.
Feeding
They are grazers but are known to browse under conditions of drought.
Breeding
They are seasonal breeders and the calf is born after a gestation period of 9 months. The calf is hidden for a few weeks with the mother returning to suckle it twice a day. The calf is regularly moved to new hiding places reducing the risk of predation
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The female sable have a much redder colouration than the dark black males.
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Sable use the side of their horns for scratching themselves.
The sable is the national animal of Zimbabwe.
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Two males in a tussle for dominance within a herd push and shove each other.
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A male gains an advantage on its rival by getting it to the ground.
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A young male joins in on a tussle between two older males.
