Sable Antelope
Afrikaans name: Swartwitpens
Portrait of a male Sable Antelope
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.
References and further reading
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 226What 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
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