Antelope

Antelope is the common name of a large and varied group of hollow-horned ruminants, members of the order Artiodactyl. Antelopes are related to other cud chewing animals such as camels, deer, and domestic cattle, sheep, cows and goats. The group comprises about 150 species, of which most are peculiar to Africa and a smaller proportion native to Asia. 

This group of animals is amazingly varied. Antelopes come in a variety of sizes, and colors. Their horns can give you an idea of how different these animals can be. Their horns may be ringed, spiraled, straight, curved and twisted. The great corkscrew horns of the kudu grow up to 1.5 m / 5 ft long. Antelope have un-branched  hollow horns. Each of the one hundred kinds are uniquely different. Both the male and female eland grow horns. Hard, hollow horns grow around two bony cores on the antelopes head. They grow throughout the antelopes life. They do not fall off as a deer's antlers do. Not all female antelopes have horns.

Antelope range in size from the tiny royal antelope, (about 25 cm. / 10 in. high at the shoulder), to the giant eland, (about 1.8 m / 5.9 ft. high at the shoulder and weighing up to 680 kg / 1500 lb). Antelope are generally very swift,  the fastest of the quadrupeds, (reaching speeds of  up to 97 km/h - 60 mph). Antelope are often brilliantly colored and may live in open plains, marshes, deserts, or forests, according to the species. Some are solitary, but many species travel in herds.

Antelope live in many varied types of habitat in Africa, central and southern Asia, and southwestern Russia. Several kinds of antelope may roam the same area. Large antelopes like the elands travel in groups of as many as two hundred.

Antelopes eat grasses, twigs, bark, leaves, buds, herbs, fruits, and insects. Their life span is three to twenty-five years, depending on the species.

The antelope mother bears one to three young after a gestation period of four / nine and a half months, depending on the species.

Antelopes have keen senses, and they are alert to enemies. The eland, when threatened by a predator, will stand his ground, but its best defense is speed. Most antelopes are good runners and can escape a predator in long leaps. They are built to run swiftly. The smaller antelopes find refuge in the thick covering of tall grasses and bushes. They will lie very still until the predator passes. If the predator gets to close, the small antelope will try and outrun the predator. If it gets far enough ahead of the predator it will hide again. Herds offer antelopes protection from the predator because of the number of animals in one place. Some antelopes, like the bongo and reedbucks, have coats that blend into their surroundings and act as camouflage.

A dozen or more meat eating animals are predators of antelopes. People hunt them too for their meat, hides, and horns.

The Sable Antelope , Dorcas Gazelle, Dama Gazelle are on the endangered list.