Zambian Sable
( West Zambian sable antelope or West Tanzanian sable antelope )
- Hippotragus niger kirkii
- IUCN Status: Vulnerable
- Trend: decreasing
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Bovidae
- Subfamily: Hippotraginae
- Genus: Hippotragus
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General Information
The Zambian sable antelope is one of four subspecies of sable antelope. It has the largest geographic range of the four subspecies, which extends north of the Zambezi River through Zambia, the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Malawi into southwestern Tanzania.
Description
The sable antelope has a compact and robust build, characterized by a thick neck and tough skin. It has a well-developed and often upright mane on its neck, as well as a short mane on the throat. Females have a brown to black coat. Calves less than two months old are a light tan and show faint markings. The underparts, cheek, and chin are all white, creating a great contrast with the dark back and flanks. Long, white hairs are present below the eyes, and a wide, black stripe runs over the nose. Both sexes have ringed horns which arch backwards.- Shoulder height: 117–140 cm
- Length: 190 and 255 cm
- Weight: up to 240 kg
- Lifespan: up to 23 yrs
Ecology & Behaviour
Sables are herbivores that are most active during the day. Most of their diet is made up of tree leaves. They are specialized browsing animals that feed upon foliage, mid-length grasses, leaves and herbs, particularly those that grow on termite mounds. They form herds of 10 to 30 females and calves led by a single male, called a bull. Males fight among themselves by dropping to their knees and using their horns. When sable antelopes are threatened by predators, including lions, they confront their attackers and fight-back aggressively.
Conservation
It is classified as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red list.
Distribution & Habitat
It has the largest geographic range of the four subspecies, which extends north of the Zambezi River through Zambia, the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Malawi into southwestern Tanzania.
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