Where antelopes live

Antelopes are found on the large grassy plains of Africa and in the central and southwest regions of Eurasia. Only one antelope, the pronghorn or prongbuck, is found in North America.

Physical features

Most antelopes have horns that sweep up and back. Their coats are generally golden, reddish tan, or gray. The face, belly and rump tend to be white. In size, antelopes generally compare with most goats and deer. The largest and tallest antelope is the African giant eland, about 69 inches (175 centimeters) tall at the shoulders and weighing about 1,764 pounds (800 kilograms). The smallest is the African royal, about 10 inches (25 centimeters) tall at the shoulders and weighing only about 6 pounds (2.7 kilograms).

Antelope horns vary greatly in size and shape. The giant sable antelope has huge horns about 63 inches (160 centimeters) long, while the royal has small spikes that are only 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) long. The four-horned antelope of India has two pairs of horns, one on its forehead and a larger pair on the top of its head.

Antelopes have excellent senses of smell and hearing. This helps them to detect danger and leap to safety. Antelopes can run very fast. The pronghorn can run 43 miles (70 kilometers) per hour and leap 20 feet (6 meters). Thomson's gazelle can run 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour. The impala, known for its great springing leaps, can jump to a height of almost 8 feet (2.4 meters) and cover 33 feet (10 meters) in a bound.

Behavior

Antelopes are herbivores, which means they eat plants and grass. They follow a circular grazing route over a particular area of land and may cover more than 200 square miles (500 square kilometers) in a year. They generally travel in herds of several hundred antelopes. A few live alone—these are usually old or weak animals, males with no mates, or females about to give birth. A doe, or female antelope, returns to the herd once her young are big enough to follow her.

Life cycle

During the mating season, male antelopes mark territories and then attract the attention of passing does. They do this by rubbing their scent glands against plants and trees. A male will defend his territory from other male antelopes by signaling them to fight. In such a case, two males lock their horns together and wrestle in combat. Neither animal comes to any great harm. One antelope, however, the African eland, has been known to fight to the death. The antelope doe may produce her young after four to eight months.

Survival issues

Some types of antelope have been hunted so much that they no longer exist at all. These include the Arabian oryx, giant sable, blesbok, and bontebok. Other antelopes, such as the eland, roan, greater kudu, and waterbuck, are still being hunted. Some antelopes in danger of extinction are being protected in special parks.