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SPECIES PROFILE
Sable Antelope (Hippotragus niger)
Hippotragus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Southern and East Africa
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Savanna woodland and grassland
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Artiodactyla
FAMILY
Bovidae
GENUS
Hippotragus
📋 Description
SIZE
Up to 1.4 m at shoulder; 190-270 kg
COLORATION
Bulls jet-black with white face and belly and long curved horns
ADAPTATIONS
Long scimitar horns used to fight off predators, even lions
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Savanna woodland and grassland
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Southern and East Africa
REPRODUCTION
Single calf
DIET DETAILS
Grasses and leaves
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss, poaching
💡 Interesting Facts
1
One of Africa's most striking antelopes, the jet-black bulls carry sweeping metre-long horns.
2
Cornered sables have been known to kill attacking lions with their horns.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Hwange National Park
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
May-October
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Scan open woodland and waterholes in Hwange; herds of striking black bulls come to drink.
