Sable Antelope

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Lengh is approximately 9 feet with a shoulder height of approximately 4 feet. Weight is approximately 400 pounds with males larger than females. Backward curving ringed horns grow throughout life and range from 20 to 40 inches on both males and females. Color of males coat is dark brown to black with white beneath; females and young have russet coats fading to pale beneath. HABITAT: Moist grassland and open woodland from southeast Kenya to Angola and eastern South Africa.

SOCIAL HABITS: Primarily diurnal but may graze at night. Live in herds numbering about 100 dominated by a single adult male with young males driven out at about 3 to 4 years. Dominant female begins movement of the herd. Communicate danger with a loud snort, mark territory by defecation, males present horns in dominance display. Use horns to defend territory or if trapped or wounded. DIET: In wild: Primarily grazes but may browse during the dry season. In zoo: Herbivore pellets and timothy hay.

Gestation of 240 to 281 days giving birth to single young who she keeps hidden for 10 to 14 days. Females reach maturity at 2 years.