sable antelope
Afrikaans name : Swartwitpens
Scientific name : (Hippotragus niger), family Bovidae (order Artiodactyla), 
Subspecies : Roosevelt, (H.n. rooseveltien), Kirk's, (H.n. kirkii), Southern, (H.n. niger) - Giant, (H.n. varianien).

Region : Southern Savanna and Forests of southern Africa.
Description : The sable is a handsome compact antelope with a powerful build and short and glossy coat with white bellys and rump patchs. They are related to the oryx (gemsbok) and  roan antelope (H. equinus), with an erect mane, long ears, long hair on the throat. The male is shining black with a black and white face and white underbelly. The female is reddish brown to black.
Habitat : Combines open savanna woodland and grassland speckled with well spaced trees and an under-canopy of  grasses, preferring the edges of open areas.
Weight : max.235 kg.
Height : max 140 cm at the shoulder.
Horns : Both sexes. Males have massive, up to 165 cm long, parallel, backward arching, scimitar or sickle-shaped horns.
Food : A grazer/browser, eats grasses supplemented by foliage and herbs, especially kinds growing on woodland termite mounds. Goes to water at least every other day and regularly visits salt licks (also chews bones to make up for mineral-deficient soils).
Habits : Herds typically 30-75 sables in good habitat following a cyclic annual route over an area of  500 square km. They are found in small groups during the rainy season and concentrated in large herds during the dry-season.
Young : Females conceive at 2.5 years. Calving  is annual at the end of the rainy season. Gestation period 8/9 months. Calves light tan with faint markings. Weaning at 6/8 months. Male maturity at 3/4 years.
Predators : Sable are swift, fierce and large and therefore few predators would risk challenging an adult. Leopards and Hyena can prey on their young. Sable live in areas of low predator densities.