Sable Antelope
Hippotragus niger
Sable Antelope is a dark-coated herbivore in African savannas and woodlands.
| Scientific name | Hippotragus niger |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Pofu |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Size | Male: 220-270 kg; Female: 160-210 kg |
How to identify
Large and elegant body; males have long, black, backward-curving spiral horns; coat color ranges from dark brown to black, darker in males; distinct white facial mask; tail tip has long black hair.
Habitat
Open woodland savanna, open forests, shrublands, and areas near river valleys
Diet
Herbivorous, primarily grazing on grass, occasionally browsing on shrub leaves
When it is active
Diurnal, with peak activity in early morning and late afternoon
Where it lives
Mainly distributed in eastern and southern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; present in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve
How to spot it
Observe during soft light at dawn or dusk; focus on the shape of the male’s horns and the white facial markings; easier to spot in open areas
Photography tips
Use natural light at dawn or dusk to capture the horn’s curves and facial features; telephoto lenses help photograph without disturbing the animal
Threats
Habitat loss, illegal hunting, and disturbance from human activities
Similar species
Similar to Roan Antelope (Hippotragus equinus), which has lighter coloration and shorter, less curved horns; differs from Common Eland (Taurotragus oryx) in size and horn shape.
