Lichtenstein's Hartebeest
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| Lichtenstein's Hartebeest | ||||||||||||||||
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 Lichtenstein's Hartebeest, Zambia
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| Alcelaphus lichtensteinii Peters, 1849 |
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Sigmoceros lichtensteinii |
Lichtenstein's Hartebeest (Alcelaphus lichtensteinii)[1] is a savannah and floodplain dwelling antelope found in southern Central Africa. By some this species is classified as Sigmoceros lichtensteinii.
Lichtenstein's Hartebeest typically stand about 1.25 m (4 ft) at the shoulder and have a mass of around 150 kg (330 lb). Lichtenstein's Hartebeest are a red brown colour, which is lighter on the underbelly. The horns found on both sexes appear from the side to be shaped like the letter 'S' and appear from the front to be shaped like the letter 'O' with its upper portions missing. The horns are slightly ridged and reach over 0.5 m in length.
Lichtenstein's Hartebeest live on savannas and floodplains where they eat grass. They are diurnal (active in the day). They gather in herds of five to fifteen females and calves with a single male who leads them. The male stands sentry duty on termite mounds and the like. Males hold large territories, which they mark by digging up dirt with their horns around the borders. Lichtenstein's Hartebeest have good eyesight but a poor sense of smell. Their main sounds are a bellow and a sneeze-snort sound.
It derives its name from ornithologist Martin Lichtenstein.
[edit] References
- ^ Wilson, Don E. & Reeder, DeeAnn M. (editors). 2005. Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed), Johns Hopkins University Press, 2,142 pp. Available online
