About Hippotragus niger (Harris, 1838)
The sable antelope, scientifically named Hippotragus niger (Harris, 1838), shows clear sexual dimorphism: males are heavier and roughly one-fifth taller than females. Typical head-and-body length ranges from 190 to 255 cm (75 to 100 in). Shoulder height reaches 117–140 cm (46–55 in) for males, while females are slightly shorter. On average, males weigh 235 kg (518 lb) and females weigh 220 kg (490 lb). The 40–75 cm (16–30 in) long tail ends in a tuft. This species has a compact, robust build with a thick neck and tough skin. It has a well-developed, often upright neck mane, plus a short throat mane. Overall body color ranges from rich chestnut to black. Females and juveniles are chestnut to dark brown, and males begin darkening and turn black after reaching three years of age. In southern populations of sable antelope, however, females have brown to black coats. Calves under two months old are light tan with faint markings. The underparts, cheeks, and chin are all white, creating strong contrast with the dark back and flanks. Long white hairs grow below the eyes, and a wide black stripe runs across the nose. Both sexes have backward-arching ringed horns. Female horns measure 61–102 cm (24–40 cm) in length, while male horns range from 81–165 cm (32–65 in) long. The average lifespan of sable antelope is 19 years in the wild and 22 years in captivity. For the giant sable antelope, a subspecies of this animal, breeding occurs seasonally, and births align with the rainy season. After a gestation period of around 9 months, females give birth to a single calf. Newborn calves have a sandy-colored coat that helps them camouflage. For at least 10 days after birth, the calf stays hidden while nursing from its mother. Young sable antelope are weaned at around 8 months old, and reach sexual maturity between 2 and 3 years of age. As the calf grows, its coat darkens, and it will establish its social position within the herd. The average lifespan of a giant sable antelope is around 17 years.
