Gerenuk

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iGerenuk

Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Subfamily: Antilopinae
Genus: Litocranius
Species: L. walleri
Binomial name
Litocranius walleri
(Brooke, 1878)
Female gerenuk
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Female gerenuk

The Gerenuk, or Giraffe Gazelle, (Litocranius walleri) is an antelope, also called the giraffe gazelle, found in East Africa. The origin of the name is believed to be from a Somali name for the mammal. The animal can weigh up to 52 kilograms and stand over 1 meter in shoulder height. During mating season, the male's neck can swell significantly. It is capable of standing upright on its hind legs. When upright, it can reach a height of 7 feet. Only the males have short, thick, lyre-shaped horns up to 17 inches long. The coat is fox red on the back, lighter on the flanks and white on the underparts.

Gerenuks are shy and ready to run away with their heads held horizontally forward, so they can pass under low branches with ease. The animal usually lives in small herds of 3-10 others.

Unlike other antelopes, gerenuks do not eat low-lying vegetation, but rather stand on their hind legs and use their long necks to reach the leaves in trees. They get most of their moisture from the plants they eat.

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