All information about the black horse antelope

The sable antelope

The black horse antelope (Hippotragus niger), also known as the sable antelope, belongs to the family of the cave antelopes (Bovidae). This large family comprises eight subfamilies including the subfamily of horse antelopes (Hippotraginae) to which the black horse antelope belongs

The genus Hippotragus contains three species, namely:

• Roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus)

• Bluebuck (Hippotragus leucophaeus) †

• Black horse antelope (Hippotragus niger)

  • Black horse antelope (Hippotragus niger niger)

  • Giant sable antelope (Hippotragus niger variani)

  • Hippotragus kirkii

  • Hippotragus niger roosevelti

The black horse antelope has four subspecies, one of which is critically endangered. That is the giant sable antelope (Hippotragus niger variani) in Angola.

What does a black horse antelope look like?

They are also considered one of the most beautiful antelope species and that is not surprising! It gets its name from its distinctive long horns on its head. It uses these as a kind of saber (striking and stabbing weapon) to defend itself against enemies. Thus, it is also called saber antelope. The horns on the male are almost twice as long as those of the female. They can reach a length of as much as 81 to 165 centimeters! Furthermore, the black horse antelope is robustly built with a thick neck, erect mane and sturdy legs. The male has a black coat color and the female is chestnut brown in color. On their heads they have white markings and their bellies are also white in color.

In this Safari Report, you will be taken to see the black horse antelopes at Safaripark Beekse Bergen.

How much does a black horse antelope weigh?

Males are heavier and larger than females. Their shoulder height is between 116 and 142 centimeters and they grow to weigh between 220 and 240 pounds.

What is the habitat of a black horse antelope?

The black horse antelope lives in the southern part of Africa. It is found in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Angola and Zaire. Here the animals are found in forested areas and on grasslands. The forests where the black horse antelope lives are open enough so that grass can grow.

Does the sable antelope live in a herd?

The black horse antelope is a herd animal. Females live with their young in groups of 15 to 25 animals. Most males live solitary or in groups of two to five animals. The dominant males therefore have their own territory which they fiercely defend. Thus, he regularly walks along the borders of his territory. During the mating season, the dominant male tries to lure a group of females into his territory.

A sable antelope cub

After a gestation period of about eight to nine months, a young is born. The young of the black horse antelope is called a calf. The calves are often born after the rainy season, because then there is plenty of long grass for the mother to gain strength and so the calf can hide well. In fact, calves are recumbents. This means that the calf hides after birth and it stays in this spot for about ten days until it is big enough to join the group. Its mother comes by several times a day to let the calf drink with her. The bond between the mother and her calf is not very strong and sometimes it even happens that the cub is left alone for a few days. Females can produce young on their own by about 2.5 years of age. Males are driven out of the herd when they reach an age of about three to four years.

What does a sable antelope eat?

The black horse antelope's menu consists mainly of grass, plants and leaves. The animals will also often be found near termite mounds because the best plants and grasses grow on these mounds. Salt ponds are also often found near these hills, which the animals lick up in order to get enough salt. The black horse antelope needs to drink every other day. It is also known that the animals sometimes chew on bones in order to get the minerals that cannot be found in the soil of the savanna.

What is the life expectancy of a sable antelope?

In the wild, animals age less than in zoos. For example, in the wild they live to be about thirteen to sixteen years old and in zoos between sixteen and nineteen years old.

What kind of sound does a sable antelope make?

The black horse antelope communicates through sound and smell. When in danger, the animals make a snorting sound. To mark territory boundaries, the black horse antelope uses dung and urine. The animals also recognize each other by body odor.

Is the sable antelope endangered?

The status of the black horse antelope is "safe. The role of zoos is to preserve and protect of animal species. European parks work closely together to achieve this goal and do so with an management program (EEP). The black horse antelope is also part of this. This way, a healthy reserve population is maintained. Find out more about species conservation and our role here here.

Conservation

Fortunately, the status of the black horse antelope is safe. But unfortunately, many of the species you see in our park are endangered and struggling in their native habitats. Did you know that worldwide more than 4,000 animal species threatened with extinction are endangered? Together we can help them, with big, or small steps. Want to know how? Then click here.