Sable Antelope: Hippotragus niger
One of the most handsome antelope species found in Africa. The sable has a powerful build, compact body, and sturdy legs.
Characteristics
Weight and Height
males: wt 517 lb (235 kg), ht 46-56 in (117-140 cm)
females: wt 484 lb (220 kg), ht 46-56 in (117-140 cm)
Horns
males: 32-65 in (80-165 cm); massive and curved
females: 24-40 in (60-100 cm)
Coat
Short and glossy
Color
Females are usually sorrel to chestnut colored, while males turn black with age. White above eyes and muzzle is divided by dark cheek stripe, white belly and rump.
General Locations
Southern Savanna, specifically Southern Kenya, Eastern Tanzania, and Mozambique to Angola and Southern Zaire. This region is known as the Miombo Woodland Zone. Sable antelope can be seen in the following national parks: Shimba Hills NR, Kenga; Ruaha NP, Selous GR, Tanzania; Kfue and Mweru Wantipa NP, Zambia; Matetsi Safari Area, Hwange, Zambezi and Kazuma Pan NP, Zimbabwe; Kruger NP, South Africa.
Habitat
The sable antelope's preferred habitat combines savanna woodlands and grasslands during the dry season. Floodplain grasslands produce new growth after annual fires during dry season. Sables are considered grazers and feed on grasses, herbs, and foliage. Most sables must drink water every day or two and also visit salt licks on a regular basis.
Activity
Both diurnal and nocturnal. Most sables travel around 1/2 mi (1.2 km) a day. However, during the dry season sable are very sedentary, staying on the same field for weeks at a time, only leaving for water. Sables generally graze until dark because they are vulnerable to predators during the night hours.
Social/Mating System
Herds of females typically have 15 to 25 members (30-75 males and females total) and tend to share the same home range. Home ranges are generally 4 to 10 sq mi (10-25 sq km) while specific male territories make up 1.5 to 3.5 sq mi (3.9 to 9 sq km) of the range. Female sables are very aggressive and as a result, there is a female hierarchy system based on seniority.
Reproduction
The gestation period is 8 to 9 months. Females conceive at 2.5 years and typically reproduce at the end of the rainy season.
Predators
Because of their size, sables have few predators. However, young fall prey to hyena and leopard.
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