Gerenuk: Litocranius walleri
An elongated version of a gazelle with very long limbs, neck, and tail.
Characteristics
Weight and Height
males: wt 99 lb (45 kg), ht 35-42 in (89-105 cm)
females: wt 68 lb (31 kg), ht 32-40 in (80-100 cm)
Head
large, rounded ears, and wedge-shaped head
Horns
Found in males only, Generally 12.5 to 17 in (32-44 cm) long. Very thick with deep ridges.
Color
Red-brown saddle on nude-colored body and limbs; white underparts; also white ring around eyes and throat area.
General Locations
Area from central Ethiopia to Northwest Tanzania, Somali-Masai Arid Zone. Also found in the Eastern Rift Valley below 4800 ft (1200 m). Gerenuks can be seen in Tsavo and Meru NP, Samburu-Isiolo NR, Kenya.
Habitat
The gerenuk is known for its ability to easily adapt to arid conditions. With its long neck and legs, it is able to stand over 6 ft, 7 in (2 m) high which enables it to feed on leaves, shoots, fruits and flowers which are normally out of reach for most animals. Gerenuks rarely even drink water because they tend to depend on evergreen shrubs, bushes and trees during the 8-month dry season.
Activity
Gerenuks are definitely diurnal animals and may also be considered nocturnal. The odd thing is that the Gerenuk's timing varies from day to day so as a result there are not any known peak feeding times, etc. However, it has been reported that females spend 51 to 68% and males spend 32 to 64% of the day feeding.
Social System
Most gerenuks seem to be territorial, sedentary or semisocial. On average 3.2 animals herd together in Tsave NP and slightly more in drier regions. On average, 42% of all males and females seen are single.
Males generally stay with their mother for 1 to 1.5 years, at which point they split off and join small bachelor herds. These herds can frequently be seen accompanying adult females. Home territories can range from 346 to 840 acres (140-340 ha). An average range is 519 acres (210 ha) and is typically isolated from other ranges.
Reproduction
The gestation period for gerenuks is 6.5 to 7 months. Females generally conceive every 8 to 9 months starting at around 11 months of age. Males are usually fertile by that age, but do not typically become dependent until they are 3.5 years old.
Predators
Wild dog, cheetah, leopard, lion, and jackal.
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