Antelopes roam the grasslands of Africa and Asia in massive herds. They vary wildly in size, shape, and survival strategies. Furthermore, they serve as a crucial link in the food chain for major predators. Consequently, these graceful runners possess incredible adaptations to survive in harsh environments. Explore these fascinating details about the diverse bovid family.
Antelopes
Antelopes never shed their horns throughout their lives. Unlike deer that drop their antlers annually, antelopes keep their bony cores permanently. Specifically, the horn grows continuously as a single structure covered in keratin.
The Giant Eland can weigh as much as a car. Impressively, this massive species stands six feet tall at the shoulder. Despite this bulk, it can still jump over an eight-foot fence from a standing start.
Conversely, the Royal Antelope is the size of a rabbit. It stands only ten inches tall and weighs less than a house cat. Therefore, this tiny creature hides in dense bushes to avoid being stepped on.
Dik-diks mark their territory with tears. Remarkably, they have special glands near their eyes that produce a sticky black substance. They insert grass stems into these glands to leave their scent for others.
Springboks perform a jumping display called “pronking.” Joyfully, they leap straight up into the air with an arched back. This behavior demonstrates their fitness to predators and discourages them from chasing.
The Saiga antelope possesses a bizarre, drooping nose. Strangely, this trunk-like snout filters out dust during dry summers. Additionally, it warms up freezing air before it reaches the lungs in winter.
Gerenuks can stand on their hind legs to eat. Uniquely, they balance perfectly on two feet to reach high branches. This allows them to access food that other grazers simply cannot reach.
They have horizontal pupils for a panoramic view. Evolutionarily, this eye shape gives them a wide field of vision to spot predators. They can see danger approaching from almost any angle without turning their heads.
The Klipspringer walks on the tips of its hooves. Amazingly, its feet act like tiny ballet shoes on steep cliffs. This adaptation provides incredible grip on wet and slippery rocks.
Wildebeest herds are visible from space. Annually, millions of them migrate together across the Serengeti in search of rain. Consequently, this movement creates one of the largest biomass events on the planet.
Both male and female antelopes can grow horns. In many species like the Oryx, females possess dangerous spikes too. They use these weapons effectively to defend their calves from lions and hyenas.
The Addax changes color with the seasons. Smartly, its coat turns white in summer to reflect the hot desert sun. However, it darkens to a grey-brown in winter to absorb more heat.
North American Pronghorns are not true antelopes. Although people call them “antelopes,” they actually belong to a completely different family. In fact, their closest living relatives are giraffes rather than African gazelles.
They chew cud like cows. Biologically, they are ruminants with complex, multi-chambered stomachs. They swallow food quickly and then regurgitate it later to chew it more thoroughly.
Finally, the Bongo antelope has a tongue like a giraffe. It uses this long, prehensile tongue to grip leaves and strip branches. Furthermore, its bright orange coat helps it blend into the dark forest shadows.
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