Sable

Scientific Name : Hippotragus niger

The sable and roan antelope are large, horse-like antelope with conspicuous manes. They are closely related and favour areas of taller grassland on the fringes of broad-leaved woodland. Both species live in small herds consisting of numerous adult females, which have a hierarchy according to seniority, as well as subadults of both sexes. A single dominant bull accompanies the herd, although he may wander off to feed alone it is never far from his harem. At the end of their nine month pregnancy, female roan and sable temporarily leave the herd to give birth to a single calf. The infant remains hidden in tall grass for its first week. Sable are among the most strikingly-coloured of all antelope. The bulls are jet- black, while females and subadults have rich chestnut coats. The long curved horns are formidable weapons and bulls will ward off all predators except lion (although even these powerful cats treat adult sable with caution).