Antelope
Blackbuck antelope
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae
Genera
Aepyceros Alcelaphus Antidorcas Antilope Cephalophus Connochaetes Damaliscus Gazella Hippotragus Kobus Madoqua Neotragus Oreotragus Oryx Ourebia Pantholops Procapra Sylvicapra Taurotragus Tragelaphus and others

Antelope are ruminant hoofed mammals of the family Bovidae in the order of even-toed ungulates. Blackbuck ( Antilope cervicapra) is a species of Antelope found mainly in India, but also in parts of Pakistan and Nepal. Chordates ( Phylum Chordata) are a group of Animals that includes the Vertebrates together with several closely related Invertebrates Mammals ( class Mammalia) are a class of Vertebrate Animals characterized by the presence of Sweat glands, including sweat glands The even-toed ungulates form the Mammal order Artiodactyla. They are Ungulates whose weight is borne (if they have more than two toes about A bovid is any of almost 140 species of Cloven-hoofed Mammals belonging to the family Bovidae. A genus (plural genera from Γένος Latin genus "descent family type gender" is a low-level Taxonomic An impala ( Aepyceros melampus Greek αιπος aipos "high" κερος ceros "horn" + melas "black" pous The Hartebeest ( Alcelaphus buselaphus) is a Grassland Antelope found in West Africa, East Africa and Southern Africa The Springbok ( Afrikaans and Dutch: spring = jump bok = Antelope or Goat) ( Antidorcas marsupialis) is a medium Blackbuck ( Antilope cervicapra) is a species of Antelope found mainly in India, but also in parts of Pakistan and Nepal. A duiker (ˈdaɪkɚ is any of about 19 small to medium-sized Antelope Species from the subfamily Cephalophinae native to Sub-Saharan Africa Damaliscus is a genus of Antelope in the family Bovidae, subfamily Alcelaphinae. A GAZelle (ГАЗе́ль is a series of mid-sized Trucks Vans and Buses made by Russian car manufacturer GAZ. Hippotragus is a Genus of Antelope which includes three species though one species the Bluebuck, is extinct For the pop group see Dik Dik. A dik-dik, pronounced "dĭk’ dĭk" and named for the sound it makes when alarmed is a small Neotragus is a Genus of Antelope. The Klipspringer (literally "rock jumper" in Afrikaans) Oreotragus oreotragus, also known colloquially as a mvundla (from Xhosa "umvundla" ORYX is an encryption algorithm used in cellular communications Description Oribi are graceful slender-legged long-necked small Antelope found in grassland almost throughout Sub-Saharan Africa "Chiru" redirects here For the Indian actor see Chiranjeevi. Procapra refers to the genus of gazelles and includes Mongolian Gazelle Procapra gutturosa Tibetan Gazelle Procapra picticaudata The Common Duiker, Sylvicapra grimmia, also known as the Gray or Bush Duiker, is a small Antelope with small horns found in west central Taurotragus, also called Eland, is a genus of Antelopes containing two species the Common Eland, and the Giant Eland. The Genus Tragelaphus contains several species of Bovine, all of which are relatively antelope-like. Physiologically a ruminant is a Mammal of the order Artiodactyla that digests plant-based food by initially softening it within the animal's first stomach known Mammals ( class Mammalia) are a class of Vertebrate Animals characterized by the presence of Sweat glands, including sweat glands A bovid is any of almost 140 species of Cloven-hoofed Mammals belonging to the family Bovidae. The even-toed ungulates form the Mammal order Artiodactyla. They are Ungulates whose weight is borne (if they have more than two toes about These animals are spread relatively evenly throughout the various subfamilies of Bovidae and many are more closely related to cows or goats than to each other. In Biological classification, family ( Latin Cattle, colloquially referred to as cows, are domesticated Ungulates a member of the Subfamily Bovinae of the family The domestic goat ( Capra aegagrus hircus) is a subspecies of goat Domesticated from the Wild goat of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe There are many species of antelope, ranging in size from the tiny Royal Antelope to the ox-like Elands. The Royal Antelope ( Neotragus pygmaeus) is a West African Antelope, only 25&ndash30 cm (10&ndash12 inches tall and weighing only 3 Taurotragus, also called Eland, is a genus of Antelopes containing two species the Common Eland, and the Giant Eland.

Male antelope are noted for their horns, which are permanent, unlike the annually-shed antlers of deer, and which often take on extravagant curved shapes such as arcs and helices. A deer is a Ruminant Mammal belonging to the family Cervidae. In Geometry, an arc is a closed segment of a Differentiable Curve in the two-dimensional plane; for example a circular A helix (pl helixes or helices) from the Greek word έλιξ, is a special kind of Space curve, i The midrange antelope, such as gazelles, impala, and blackbuck antelope, typically have a light and elegant frame, slender, graceful limbs, small cloven hoofs, and a short tail. A GAZelle (ГАЗе́ль is a series of mid-sized Trucks Vans and Buses made by Russian car manufacturer GAZ. An impala ( Aepyceros melampus Greek αιπος aipos "high" κερος ceros "horn" + melas "black" pous Blackbuck ( Antilope cervicapra) is a species of Antelope found mainly in India, but also in parts of Pakistan and Nepal. Small antelope and large antelope can both be quite variable in form, but tend to have proportionally shorter legs and thicker builds than the mid-sized antelope. ^[1]

Antelope exhibit different defensive behaviors based on their size, habitat, and number. Small solitary antelope tend to live in dense forested areas, and defend themselves by hiding. Duikers get their name from this ability to dive into the vegetation. A duiker (ˈdaɪkɚ is any of about 19 small to medium-sized Antelope Species from the subfamily Cephalophinae native to Sub-Saharan Africa Gazelle-sized antelope run and leap, and some species exhibit the unique behavior of pronking or stotting. Stotting (also pronking or pronging) is a gait of Quadrupeds, particularly Gazelles (e Stotting (also pronking or pronging) is a gait of Quadrupeds, particularly Gazelles (e Large antelope congregate in larger herds and can depend on running or group defense. ^[2]

Antelope are found in a wide range of habitats, typically woodland, forest, savannahs, grassland plains, and marshes. Several species are adapted to mountains and rocky outcrops, a few to deserts (both hot and cold), and a couple are semi-aquatic and live in swamps.

Contents 1 Species and distribution 2 Classification 3 Physical characteristics 4 Behavior 5 Hybrid Antelope 6 Cultural aspects 7 References 8 External links

Species and distribution

Antelopes occur naturally in Eurasia and Africa. For the superstate in George Orwell 's novel see Nations of Nineteen Eighty-Four. There are about 90 species, most of which are native to Africa, where the largest herds are also to be found, in about 30 genera. About 15 species are endangered.

Antelope are typically divided into "tribes", or subfamilies under the family Bovidae. A bovid is any of almost 140 species of Cloven-hoofed Mammals belonging to the family Bovidae.

Species of antelope include:^[3]

Aepycerotinae

• Impala

Alcelaphinae

• 3 species of Hartebeest
• Hirola
• 2 species of Wildebeest
• Topi
• Tsessebe
• Blesbok

Antilopinae

• 14 species of Gazelle
• 4 species of Dik-dik
• Black buck
• Springbok
• Beira
• Gerenuk
• Bate's Pygmy Antelope
• Royal Antelope
• Suni
• Klipspringer
• Oribi
• Steenbok
• Northern Grysbok
• Southern Grysbok
• Saiga

Bovinae

• Greater Kudu
• Lesser Kudu
• Bongo
• Lowland Nyala
• Mountain Nyala
• Bushbuck
• Sitatunga
• Nilgai
• Common Eland
• Giant Eland
• Cape Buffalo
• Gaur
• Water Buffalo
• Four-horned Antelope

Cephilophinae

• 19 species of Duiker

Hippotraginae

• Sable Antelope
• Roan Antelope
• 3 species of Oryx

Reduncinae

• Waterbuck
• Kob
• 2 species of Lechwe
• Puku
• Rhebok
• 3 species of Reedbuck

There is still some debate regarding placement in genera and species vs subspecies placement. An impala ( Aepyceros melampus Greek αιπος aipos "high" κερος ceros "horn" + melas "black" pous The Hartebeest ( Alcelaphus buselaphus) is a Grassland Antelope found in West Africa, East Africa and Southern Africa The Hirola ( Beatragus hunteri, sometimes Damaliscus hunteri also known as Hunter's Hartebeest) is found in Arid grassy Plains This article is about the antelope For the town see Topi (town. The Common Tsessebe ( Damaliscus lunatus) is a Savannah and Floodplain antelope found in Northern Botswana Eastern Angola Northeastern Namibia Zambia The Blesbok, or Blesbuck, ( Damaliscus dorcas phillpsi) is related to the Bontebok ( Damaliscus dorcas dorcas) and it is purplish Antelope A GAZelle (ГАЗе́ль is a series of mid-sized Trucks Vans and Buses made by Russian car manufacturer GAZ. For the pop group see Dik Dik. A dik-dik, pronounced "dĭk’ dĭk" and named for the sound it makes when alarmed is a small Blackbuck ( Antilope cervicapra) is a species of Antelope found mainly in India, but also in parts of Pakistan and Nepal. Gerenuks, Litocranius walleri, are a type of antelope/gazelle with remarkably long necks that are found in East Africa The Royal Antelope ( Neotragus pygmaeus) is a West African Antelope, only 25&ndash30 cm (10&ndash12 inches tall and weighing only 3 For the Italian commune see Suni. For the branch of Islam see Sunni Islam. The Klipspringer (literally "rock jumper" in Afrikaans) Oreotragus oreotragus, also known colloquially as a mvundla (from Xhosa "umvundla" Description Oribi are graceful slender-legged long-necked small Antelope found in grassland almost throughout Sub-Saharan Africa The Steenbok ( Raphicerus campestris) is a common small Antelope of southern and eastern Africa Sharpe's or Northern Grysbok ( Raphicerus sharpei) is a small shy solitary antelope of south-eastern Africa— Transvaal ( South Africa) Cape or Southern Grysbok ( Raphicerus melanotis) is a small Antelope that is endemic to the Western Cape region of South Africa The Greater Kudu ( Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is a Woodland Antelope found throughout eastern and southern Africa. The Lesser Kudu ( Tragelaphus imberbis) is a forest Antelope found in East Africa and (possibly the southern Arabian Peninsula. The Western or Lowland Bongo, Tragelaphus eurycerus eurycerus, is a Herbivorous, mostly Nocturnal forest Ungulate and among the largest of the The Nyala ( Tragelaphus angasii) is a South African Antelope. The Mountain Nyala ( Tragelaphus buxtoni) known in Ethiopia as Agazen ( Ge'ez: አጋዘን āgāzen) is an Antelope found in high The Bushbuck ( Tragelaphus scriptus) is an Antelope that is found in forest and woodland throughout Sub-Saharan Africa The sitatunga or marshbuck ( Tragelaphus spekii) is a swamp-dwelling Antelope found throughout Central Africa centering on the Blue bull redirects here For the South African Rugby union team see Blue Bulls. The common eland ( Taurotragus oryx, also known as the southern eland) is a savannah and Plains Antelope found in East and The Giant Eland ( Taurotragus derbianus also known as the Lord Derby Eland) is an open Forest Savannah Antelope. The African Buffalo or Cape Buffalo ( Syncerus caffer) is a large African bovid. The gaur (ˈɡaʊɚ ( Bos gaurus, previously Bibos gauris) is a large dark-coated bovine animal of South Asia and Southeast Asia. True Wild Asian Water Buffalo or Wild Asiatic Water Buffalo is an Endangered species. The Four-horned Antelope ( Tetracerus quadricornis) also known as the chousingha is an Antelope found in open forest in South Asia. A duiker (ˈdaɪkɚ is any of about 19 small to medium-sized Antelope Species from the subfamily Cephalophinae native to Sub-Saharan Africa The Sable Antelope ( Hippotragus niger) is an Antelope which inhabits wooded savannah in East Africa south of Kenya, and in The Roan Antelope ( Hippotragus equinus) is a Savanna Antelope found in West, Central, East Africa and Southern ORYX is an encryption algorithm used in cellular communications The Waterbuck ( Kobus ellipsiprymnus) is an Antelope found in Western, Central Africa, East Africa and Southern Africa The Kob ( Kobus kob) is an Antelope found across Sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Sudan. The Lechwe, or Southern Lechwe, ( Kobus leche) is an Antelope found in Botswana, Zambia, south-eastern Democratic Republic The Puku ( Kobus vardonii) is an Antelope found in wet Grasslands in southern Democratic Republic of Congo and in Zambia. The Grey Rhebok or Grey Rhebuck ( Pelea capreolus, locally known as the Vaal Rhebok or Vaalribbok) is a species of Antelope Reedbuck is a common name for African antelopes from the genus Redunca.

Blackbuck antelope and Gemsbok have been imported into the United States, primarily for the purpose of "exotic game hunts", common in Texas. Blackbuck ( Antilope cervicapra) is a species of Antelope found mainly in India, but also in parts of Pakistan and Nepal. The gemsbok or gemsbuck ( Oryx gazella) is a large African Antelope, of the Oryx genus The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Texas ( is a state geographically located in the South Central United States and is also known as the Lone Star State. While blackbuck antelope and other species have established wild populations in parts of Texas, they are not native to the United States. Blackbuck ( Antilope cervicapra) is a species of Antelope found mainly in India, but also in parts of Pakistan and Nepal. ^[4]

There are no true antelope native to the Americas. The Pronghorn "Antelope" of the Great Plains belongs to family Antilocapridae, not Bovidae. The pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana) also pronghorn antelope or prong buck, is a species of Ungulate Mammal native to interior Antilocapridae is a family of artiodactyls endemic to North America. A bovid is any of almost 140 species of Cloven-hoofed Mammals belonging to the family Bovidae. They can be distinguished by the horns, which are branched and shed. True antelope have horns which are unbranched and are never shed.

Most familiar species of antelope are located in Africa, but some exist in Asia as well. The Arabian peninsula is home to the Arabian Oryx and Dorcas gazelle, while India and Southeast Asia have the Four-horned Antelope, Tibetan antelope, Saiga antelope, Nilgai, Chinkara, and Blackbuck. The Arabian Oryx ( Oryx leucoryx) is a Bovid and the smallest member of Oryx genus native to desert and steppe areas of the Arabian peninsula The Dorcas Gazelle غزال( Gazella dorcas) also known as the Ariel Gazelle is a small and common Gazelle. The Four-horned Antelope ( Tetracerus quadricornis) also known as the chousingha is an Antelope found in open forest in South Asia. "Chiru" redirects here For the Indian actor see Chiranjeevi. Blue bull redirects here For the South African Rugby union team see Blue Bulls. The Chinkara ( Gazella bennettii) or Jabeer Gazelle is a species of Gazelle found in South Asia. Blackbuck ( Antilope cervicapra) is a species of Antelope found mainly in India, but also in parts of Pakistan and Nepal.

Antelope are not a cladistic or taxonomically defined group. Cladistics is the hierarchical classification of Species based on evolutionary ancestry The term is used loosely to describe all members of the family Bovidae which do not fall under the category of sheep, cattle, or goat. Cattle, colloquially referred to as cows, are domesticated Ungulates a member of the Subfamily Bovinae of the family The domestic goat ( Capra aegagrus hircus) is a subspecies of goat Domesticated from the Wild goat of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe

Classification

There are at least two classification systems at the subfamily level of the Bovidae. In Biological classification, family ( Latin In the "lumped" system (of, e. g. , Kingdon 1997), antelope occur in both subfamilies—the Bovinae (alongside the cattle) and the Antilopinae (alongside the sheep and goats). The alternative classification of 10 subfamilies is given under "Bovid" in this encyclopaedia—in this classification, antelope occur in 9 of the 10 subfamilies (one of which is the single-species subfamily of the Tibetan Antelope). A bovid is any of almost 140 species of Cloven-hoofed Mammals belonging to the family Bovidae. "Chiru" redirects here For the Indian actor see Chiranjeevi.

Antelope are not a monophyletic group, but a miscellaneous category for members of the family Bovidae that are not cattle, sheep, goats, or bison^[5]. Confusingly, Pronghorn (commonly known as Pronghorn Antelope) are not antelope, but belong to their own family, Antilocapridae^[6]. The pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana) also pronghorn antelope or prong buck, is a species of Ungulate Mammal native to interior Antilocapridae is a family of artiodactyls endemic to North America.

Physical characteristics

The characteristics of bovids in general are: long legs; even number of hoofed toes (as per all even-toed ungulates); in most species the males are horned, and in some species the females are also; most have horizontally oriented pupils; they ruminate. The even-toed ungulates form the Mammal order Artiodactyla. They are Ungulates whose weight is borne (if they have more than two toes about A horn is a pointed projection of the Skin on the head of various Mammals consisting of a covering of horn ( Keratin and other Proteins The pupil is the hole that is located in the center of the iris of the eye and that controls the amount of light that enters the Eye. Physiologically a ruminant is a Mammal of the order Artiodactyla that digests plant-based food by initially softening it within the animal's first stomach known In all species, the males display horns (typically two, but sometimes four). Horns are not shed and are not made of bone, which distinguishes them from antlers. ^[7]

These basic characteristics, however, mask huge differences in appearance between antelopes, cattle, goats and sheep, and among the antelopes themselves. ^[8] For example, a male Common Eland can measure 178 cm at the shoulder and weigh almost 950 kg, whereas an adult Royal Antelope may stand only 24 cm at the shoulder and weigh a mere 1. The common eland ( Taurotragus oryx, also known as the southern eland) is a savannah and Plains Antelope found in East and The Royal Antelope ( Neotragus pygmaeus) is a West African Antelope, only 25&ndash30 cm (10&ndash12 inches tall and weighing only 3 5 kg.

Not surprisingly for animals with long slender yet powerful legs, many antelopes have long strides and can run fast. Some (e. g. Klipspringer) are also adapted to climbing in rock kopjes. The Klipspringer (literally "rock jumper" in Afrikaans) Oreotragus oreotragus, also known colloquially as a mvundla (from Xhosa "umvundla" Both Dibatags and Gerenuks habitually stand on their two hind legs to reach acacia and other tree foliage. The dibatag, or Clark's gazelle Ammodorcas clarkei, is an Antelope found in sandy grasslands of Ethiopia and Somalia. Gerenuks, Litocranius walleri, are a type of antelope/gazelle with remarkably long necks that are found in East Africa Acacia is a Genus of Shrubs and Trees belonging to the Subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae, first Different antelope have different body types which can affect movement. Duikers are short, bush dwelling antelope that can pick through dense foliage and dive into the shadows rapidly. Gazelles and Springbok are known for their speed and leaping abilities. Even larger antelope, such as Nilgai, Elands, and Kudus, are capable of jumping 8 feet or greater, although their running speed is restricted by their greater mass. Blue bull redirects here For the South African Rugby union team see Blue Bulls. Kudu is an alternate spelling for kuzu the Japanese word for the plant Kudzu.

Antelopes have a wide variety of coverings, through most have a dense coat of short fur. In most species, the coat (pelage) is some variation of a brown colour (or several shades of brown); often with white or pale under-bodies. Exceptions include the zebra-marked Zebra Duiker, the grey, black and white Jentink's Duiker and the Black Lechwe. The Zebra Duiker ( Cephalophus zebra) is a small Antelope found in Ivory Coast, and Liberia. Jentink's Duiker, Cephalophus jentinki, also known as Gidi-Gidi in Krio and Kaikulowulei in Mende, is a forest dwelling The Lechwe, or Southern Lechwe, ( Kobus leche) is an Antelope found in Botswana, Zambia, south-eastern Democratic Republic Most of the "spiral-horned" antelopes have pale vertical stripes on their backs. Many desert and sub-desert species are particularly pale, some almost silvery or whitish (e. g. Arabian Oryx); the Beisa and Southern Oryxes have gray and black pelage with vivid black-and-white faces. The Arabian Oryx ( Oryx leucoryx) is a Bovid and the smallest member of Oryx genus native to desert and steppe areas of the Arabian peninsula The East African Oryx ( Oryx beisa) also known as the Beisa occurs in two Subspecies, Common Beisa Oryx ( Oryx beisa beisa) found in The gemsbok or gemsbuck ( Oryx gazella) is a large African Antelope, of the Oryx genus Common features of various gazelles are a white rump, which flashes a warning to others when they run from danger, and a dark stripe mid-body (the latter feature is also shared by the Springbok and Beira). A GAZelle (ГАЗе́ль is a series of mid-sized Trucks Vans and Buses made by Russian car manufacturer GAZ. The Beira ( Dorcatragus megalotis) is a small Antelope that inhabits Arid regions of Somalia Djibouti and eastern Ethiopia The Springbok also has a pouch of white brushlike hairs running along its back, which opens up when the animal senses danger, causing the dorsal hairs to stand on end. The Springbok ( Afrikaans and Dutch: spring = jump bok = Antelope or Goat) ( Antidorcas marsupialis) is a medium

Antelopes are ruminants, and thus have well-developed molar teeth, which grind cud (food balls stored in the stomach) into a pulp for further digestion. Physiologically a ruminant is a Mammal of the order Artiodactyla that digests plant-based food by initially softening it within the animal's first stomach known Molars are the rearmost and most complicated kind of Tooth in most Mammals In many mammals they grind food hence the Latin name mola, " Millstone CUD is an acronym sometimes used to describe the genetic disorder Primary carnitine deficiency. They have no upper incisors, but rather a hard upper gum pad, against which their lower incisors bite to tear grass stems and leaves.

Like many other herbivores, antelopes rely on keen senses to avoid predators. Herbivory is a form of Predation in which an Organism, known as a herbivore, consumes principally Autotrophs ref name=Campbell>Campbell Their eyes are placed on the sides of their heads, giving them a broad radius of vision with minimal binocular vision. The fact that most species have their pupils elongated horizontally also helps in this respect. Acute senses of smell and hearing, give antelope the ability to perceive danger at night out in the open (when predators are often on the prowl). These same senses play an important role in contact between individuals of the same species: markings on head, ears, legs and rumps are used in such communication—many species "flash" such markings, as well as their tails; vocal communications include loud barks, whistles, "moos" and trumpeting; many species also use scent marking to define their territories or simply to maintain contact with their relatives and neighbours.

Many antelope are sexually dimorphic. In most species, both sexes have horns, but those of males tend to be larger. There is a tendency for males to be larger than the females; however, exceptions in which the females tend to be heavier than the males include the Bush Duiker, Dwarf Antelope, Cape Grysbok and Oribi, all rather small species. The Common Duiker, Sylvicapra grimmia, also known as the Gray or Bush Duiker, is a small Antelope with small horns found in west central The Bates's Pygmy Antelope ( Neotragus batesi)—also known as the Dwarf Antelope, Pygmy Antelope or Bates' Dwarf Antelope —is a very small Cape or Southern Grysbok ( Raphicerus melanotis) is a small Antelope that is endemic to the Western Cape region of South Africa Description Oribi are graceful slender-legged long-necked small Antelope found in grassland almost throughout Sub-Saharan Africa A number of species have hornless females (e. g. Sitatunga, Red Lechwe, and Suni). The sitatunga or marshbuck ( Tragelaphus spekii) is a swamp-dwelling Antelope found throughout Central Africa centering on the The Lechwe, or Southern Lechwe, ( Kobus leche) is an Antelope found in Botswana, Zambia, south-eastern Democratic Republic For the Italian commune see Suni. For the branch of Islam see Sunni Islam. In some species, the males and females have different coloured pelage (e. g. Blackbuck and Nyala). Blackbuck ( Antilope cervicapra) is a species of Antelope found mainly in India, but also in parts of Pakistan and Nepal. The Nyala ( Tragelaphus angasii) is a South African Antelope.

Size and shape of horns varies immensely. Those of the duikers and dwarf antelopes tend to be simple "spikes", but differ in the angle to the head from backward curved and backward pointing (e. A duiker (ˈdaɪkɚ is any of about 19 small to medium-sized Antelope Species from the subfamily Cephalophinae native to Sub-Saharan Africa The Tribe Neotragini comprises the dwarf antelopes of Africa: Dorcatragus Beira g. Yellow-backed Duiker) to straight and upright (e. The Yellow-backed Duiker ( Cephalophus silvicultor) is an Antelope found in central and western Africa. g. Steenbok). The Steenbok ( Raphicerus campestris) is a common small Antelope of southern and eastern Africa Other groups have twisted (e. g. Common Eland), spiral (e. The common eland ( Taurotragus oryx, also known as the southern eland) is a savannah and Plains Antelope found in East and g. Greater Kudu), "recurved" (e. The Greater Kudu ( Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is a Woodland Antelope found throughout eastern and southern Africa. g. the reedbucks), lyrate (e. Reedbuck is a common name for African antelopes from the genus Redunca. g. Impala), or long, curved (e. An impala ( Aepyceros melampus Greek αιπος aipos "high" κερος ceros "horn" + melas "black" pous g. the oryxes) horns. ORYX is an encryption algorithm used in cellular communications Horns are efficient weapons and tend to be better developed in those species where males genuinely fight over females—horns are clashed in combat. It is much more common for males to use their horns against each other than against another species. The boss of the horns is typically arranged in such a way that two antelope striking at each other's horns cannot crack each other's skulls, making a fight via horn more ritualized than dangerous. Many species have ridges in their horns for at least 2/3 the length of their horns.

It is difficult to determine how long antelope live in the wild. With the preferance of predators towards old and infirm individuals who can no longer sustain peak speeds, few wild prey-animals live as long as their biological potential. In captivity, wildebeest have lived beyond 20 years old, and Impalas have reached their late teens. In the wild, few individuals of prey species live to old age, as the old and weak fall easier prey to their predators; antelopes are no exception to this rule. ^[9]

Behavior

With food that does not move, antelopes (like other herbivores) do not need any great intelligence. However, they do need to be able to react quickly in the presence of a predator—thus, they tend to be fast runners. They are agile (able to execute fast turns on the run) and have good endurance (ability to keep running for some time)—these are advantages when pursued by sprint-dependent predators like cheetah, which are the fastest of land animals, but tire quickly. The cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus) is an atypical member of the cat family ( Felidae) that is unique in its speed while lacking climbing abilities

Different species differ in their behaviour in the presence of predators, and these differences are often associated with habitat. For example, the Steenbok of open woodland will lie low until the last minute and then bound away. The Steenbok ( Raphicerus campestris) is a common small Antelope of southern and eastern Africa Plains-living species, such as gazelles, do not have this choice and must flee at speed when a predator approaches. A GAZelle (ГАЗе́ль is a series of mid-sized Trucks Vans and Buses made by Russian car manufacturer GAZ. Reaction distances vary with predator species and predator behaviour. For example, gazelles may not flee from a lion until it is closer than 200 m (650 ft)—lions hunt as a pride or by surprise, usually by stalking, one that can be seen clearly is unlikely to attack. The lion ( Panthera leo) is a member of the family Felidae and one of four Big cats in the Genus Panthera. However, sprint-dependent cheetahs will cause gazelles to flee at a range of over 800 m (0. 5 mile). ^[10]

Species of forest, woodland or bush tend to be sedentary, but many of the plains species undertake huge migrations. These migrations enable grass-eating species to follow the rains and therefore their food supply. The gnus and gazelles of East Africa perform some of the most impressive mass migratory circuits of all mammals. A GAZelle (ГАЗе́ль is a series of mid-sized Trucks Vans and Buses made by Russian car manufacturer GAZ. East Africa is the Easternmost Region of the African Continent. ^[11]

Hybrid Antelope

A wide variety of antelope hybrids have been recorded in zoos, game parks, and wildlife ranches. This is due to either a lack of more appropriate mates in enclosures shared with other species or a misidentification of species. The ease of hybridization shows how closely related some antelope species are. It is probable that some so-called species are actually variant populations of the same species and are prevented from hybridization in the wild by behavioral or geographical differences.

Most hybrids occur between species within the same genus. All reported examples occur within the same sub-family. As with most mammal hybrids, the less closely related the parents, the more likely that the offspring will be sterile. ^[12]

Cultural aspects

The antelope's horn is prized for medicinal and magical powers in many places. A shofar (שופר is a horn used for Jewish religious purposes The horn of the male saiga in Eastern practice is ground as an aphrodisiac, for which it has been hunted nearly to extinction. In the Congo, it is thought to confine spirits. The Republic of the Congo (République du Congo Kongo: Repubilika ya Kongo; Lingala: Republiki ya Kongó) also known as Congo-Brazzaville Christian iconography sometimes uses the antelope's two horns as a symbol of the two spiritual weapons that Christians possess: the Old Testament and the New Testament. In Western Christianity, the Old Testament refers to the books that form the first of the two-part Christian Biblical canon. Their ability to run swiftly has also led to their association with the wind, such as in the Rig Veda, as the steeds of the Maruts and the wind god Vayu. Wind is the flow of Air or other Gases that compose an Atmosphere (including but not limited to the Earth's) The Rigveda ( Sanskrit sa ऋग्वेद ṛgveda, a compound of ṛc "praise verse" and veda "knowledge" In Hinduism the Maruts ( Sanskrit: मरुत also known as the Marutgana and the Rudras are storm deities and sons of Rudra and Diti In Hinduism Vayu ( Sanskrit: वायु, IAST: Vāyu Malay: Bayu Thai: Phra Pai is a primary deity the father of

References

1. ^ C. A. Spinage. The Natural History of Antelopes. 1986. Facts on File Publications. New York.
2. ^ Rennie Bere. The World of Animals: Antelopes. 1970. Arco Publishing Company, New York.
3. ^ Wilson, D. E. , and D. M. Reeder [editors]. 2005. Mammal Species of the World (3rd Edition). Johns Hopkins University Press, 2,142 pp.
4. ^ Elizabeth Cary Mungall. Exotic Animal Field Guide. 2007. A&M University Press. College Station.
5. ^ Clive Spinage, The Natural History of Antelope. Facts on File: 1986.
6. ^ Gorog, A. 1999. "Antilocapra americana" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed February 19, 2008 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Antilocapra_americana.html.
7. ^ D. R. Prothero, R. M. Schoch. Horns, Tusks, and Flippers: The Evolution of Hoofed Mammals. JHU Press: 2002.
8. ^ E. S. Vbra and G. B. Schaller. Antelopes, Deer, and Relitives. 2000. Yale University Press.
9. ^ Elizabeth Cary Mungall, and William J. Sheffield. Exotics on the Range: The Texas Example. Texas A & M Univ Press: 1994.
10. ^ Kingdon, Jonathan. 1997. The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals. Academic Press, San Diego & London.
11. ^ Richard D. Estes. The Behavior Guide to African Mammals. 1992. University of California Press.
12. ^ Elizabeth Cary Mungall, and William J. Sheffield. Exotics on the Range: The Texas Example. Texas A & M Univ Press: 1994.

External links

• AZA Antelope Taxon Advisory Group.
• Ultimate Ungulate.
• San Diego Zoo Antelope.
• African Wildlife Foundation, Hartebeest. Includes a dropdown menu of other antelope species.

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