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The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa

Sable Antelope

Afrikaans name: Swartwitpens

Sable Antelope

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.

Sable Antelope

Photo © EcoView - Fotolia.com

References and further reading

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

What Antelope is That? - Author: Paul Rose - Published: 1967 - Page: 39

Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 169

The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 36

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 332

Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 128

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 51

Southern Africas Threatened Wildlife - Author: John Ledger - Published: 1990 - Page: 32

South African Animals in the Wild - Author: Anthony Bannister - Published: 1985 - Page: 22

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maberlys Mammals of Southern Africa - Revised edition - Author: Richard Goss - Published: 1986 - Page: 292

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

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

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 416

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

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

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

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

Chris and Tilde Stuarts Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edit - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 194

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

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

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

A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 76

A Field Guide to the Mammals of Africa including Madagascar - Author: Theodor Haltenorth and Helmut Diller - Published: 1980 - Page: 71

African Wildlife Foundation


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List of South African Mammals

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