Sable Antelope

Afrikaans name: Swartwitpens

Portrait of a male Sable Antelope

Photo © lienkie - Fotolia.com

Hippotragus niger

Interesting facts about Sable

The male Sable is arguably the best looking out of all the antelopes. Their horns can be over 1 metre in length.

Sable are very gregarious and may form herds of up to 40 animals. Herds are normally led by a dominant bull but they will tolerate other bulls.

Male Sable may have fights but these are normally more ritualised than serious. Occasionally though the fights do get serious. The Sable uses its long horns to good effect and it will use them to defend itself against a predator. It will continue fighting off a predator even when it has been brought to the ground.

Sable are quite particular about the habitat that they inhabit. Their ideal habitat consists of tall grass with lots of shrubs and trees.

Females leave the herd just prior to giving birth. They keep their calf in dense bush before rejoining the herd after a few days.

Adult males can weigh up to 250 kg and live for 15 years. Both sexes have horns although those of the male are much longer than the female. Males are much darker than females.

Despite favouring areas with trees and shrubs they only eat grass.

Photo © EcoView - Fotolia.com

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References and further reading

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 54

An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 284

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 22

Chris and Tilde Stuart's Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 194

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Year Published: 2004 - Page: 170

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 1997 - Page: 132

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 2001 - Page: 194

Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 130

Kruger National Park Questions and Answers - Author: P.F. Fourie - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 141

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 188

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillier - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 129

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Year Published: 1980 - Page: 122

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Year Published: 1990 - Page: 3

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Year Published: 1990 - Page: 19

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 416

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 197

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Year Published: 1996 - Page: 182

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 226

List of South African Mammals