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 The
Black Wildebeest or White-tailed gnu (Connochaetes gnou) is one of two gnu species.
The natural populations of this species, endemic to the southern region of Africa, have been almost completely
exterminated, but the species has been reintroduced widely, both in private areas and nature reserves
throughout most of Lesotho, Swaziland, South Africa and Namibia, also introduced outside its natural range
(Wilson & Reeder, 1993; East, 1989, 1996).
The primal herds were exterminated, being seen as pests, with the secondary advantage of using the hides and meat.
Thus this animal exists primarily in herds derived from captive specimens. |
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 The Blesbok, or Bontebok, (Damaliscus albifrons) is a purplish antelope with a distinctive
white face and forehead. They are a close relative of the Bontebok and are only found in South Africa
(mostly in protected herds). The ce/dictionaries/animalsplants/data/m0007448.html tiscali Dictionary of
Animals claims that the blesbok can weigh up to 85 kg (190 lb). They were first discovered in the 17th century,
but it is not known whether this is because they are a relatively new species or because they have been so elusive.
There are not many alive today (one estimate puts the total world population at 120,000); however, it is reported
that this number is increasing. This is likely due to a decrease in numbers being hunted for meat and because of
the large amount of effort being put into conserving the land they graze upon. |
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 The
Blue Wildebeest is a large ungulate mammal of the genus Connochaetes which grows to 1.4 meters
shoulder height and attains a body mass of up to 270 kilograms. They range the open plains,
bushveld and dry woodlands of Southern and East Africa, realizing a life span in excess of twenty years.
This herbivore is a grazing animal that is often sighted in open grasslands or clearings in a savanna.
The male is highly territorial using scent markings and other devices to protect his domain.
The largest population is in the Serengeti, numbering over one million animals. |
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 Duikers
are shy and elusive creatures with a fondness for dense cover; most are
forest dwellers and even the species living in more open areas are
quick to disappear into thickets. Their name comes from the Afrikaans
word for diver and refers to their practice of diving into tangles of
shrubbery. With a slightly arched body and the front legs a little
shorter than the hind legs, they are well-shaped to penetrate thickets.
They are primarily browsers rather than grazers, eating leaves, shoots,
seeds, fruit, buds and bark, and often follow flocks of birds or troops
of monkeys to take advantage of the fruit they drop. |
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 The Common Eland, or Southern Eland, (Taurotragus oryx) is a savannah and plains antelope found in East and Southern Africa.
The Common Eland stands around two metres at the shoulder and weighs 275 kilograms (600 lb) to a tonne (2,200 lb).
Females are sometimes less than half the weight of adult males. This species and the so-called Giant Eland,
which are actually about the same size as the Common, are the largest of world's antelopes.
Common Eland females have a tan coat, while the males' coat is a darker tan with a blue tinge to it,
there may be a single white stripe vertically placed on the sides. The males have dense fur on their foreheads
and a large dewlap. Both sexes have horns, which are about 65 centimetres (26 in) long and almost straight.
The horns of the female are longer but thinner than those of the male.
Common Eland live on the savannah and eat grass, branches and leaves.
They are diurnal but tend towards inactivity during the heat of the day. Herds are usually between thirty and eighty
individuals but are known to reach upwards of four hundred. The Common Eland has an unusual social life.
They come and go, taking advantage of herd life when they need to without forming close ties. |
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 The gemsbok or gemsbuck (Oryx gazella) is a large African antelope, of the Oryx genus.
The name is derived from the Dutch name of the male chamois, Gemsbok. Although there are some superficial
similarities in appearance (especially in the colour of the face area), the chamois and the oryx are not related.
Gemsbok live in herds of about 10-40 animals, which consist of a dominant male,
a few non-dominant males, and females.They often live in association with zebras, gazelles, or other antelope.
The female's horns may be curved, but the male's are thicker and parallel.
Male gemsbok have been known to gore attacking lions with their horns.
There are two types of gemsbok: a northern and southern variety.
The northern gemsboks have black-fringed ear, while the southern ones have longer horns and more rounded ears. |
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 Giraffes are the tallest mammals in the world. They grow up to 18 feet tall.
They weigh between 2000 and 4000 pounds. Their bodies from front to hind legs are about 5 feet long.
Giraffes are known for a beautiful pattern on their skin: large, brown spots on the yellowish background.
Differences in pattern divide giraffes into two main groups: reticulated giraffes and blotched giraffes.
The spots of reticulated giraffes are large, very similar in shape, and not much of the background is visible.
It seems that the animal is all brown, but it is covered with a yellowish net. This kind of giraffe has no pattern
below the knees. Blotched giraffes have a pattern that is not so regular. The spots have odd shapes and sizes.
You can see more of the background, and its color is darker. Blotched giraffes are divided into
smaller groups still depending on how their pattern looks like.
The pattern of each giraffe is unique, and there are no two identical giraffes in the world. |
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 The Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is a woodland antelope found throughout eastern and southern Africa.
Despite occupying such widespread territory, they are sparsely populated in most areas, due to a delicining habitat,
deforestation and hunting.
An adult can weigh from 195–315 kilograms (though the female tends to be lighter) and grow
to be 1–1.5 metres tall at the shoulder, with a length of 1.95–2.45 metres. |
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 The Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus) is a grassland antelope found in West Africa,
East Africa and Southern Africa. It is the only animal classified in the genus Alcelaphus.
The Hartebeest stands almost 1.5 m (5 ft) at the shoulder and weighs anywhere from 120-200 kg (265-440 lb).
Male Hartebeest are a dark brown colour while females are yellow brown. Both sexes have horns which can reach
lengths up to 70 cm (27 in). Hartebeest live in grassland and open forest where they eat grass.
They are diurnal and spend the morning and late afternoon eating. Herds contain five to twenty individuals
but can occasionally contain up to three hundred and fifty.
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 An Impala (Aepyceros melampus Greek aipos "high" ceros "horn" + melas "black" pous "foot") is a
medium-sized African antelope. The name impala comes from the Zulu language.
They are found in savannas in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
southern Angola and northeastern South Africa.
Impala stand between 75 to 95 centimeters tall at the shoulder and weigh 40 to 80 kilograms.
They are reddish-brown in color with lighter flanks, and have white underbellies.
Males have lyre-shaped horns which can reach up to 90 centimeters in length.
When frightened or startled the whole herd starts leaping about in order to confuse their predator.
They can jump distances more than 9 meters (30 feet) and 2.5 meters (8 feet) high.
They are prey to almost every large predator. |
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 Steenbok resemble small Oribi, standing 45–60 cm at the shoulder. Their pelage (coat) is any shade from fawn to rufous,
typically rather orange. The underside, including chin and throat, is white, as is the ring around the eye.
Ears are large with "finger-marks" on the inside. Males carry straight, smooth, parallel horns 7–19 cm long.
There is a black crescent-shape between the ears, a long black bridge to the glossy black nose, and a black circular
scent-gland in front of the eye. The tail is usually invisible, being only 4–6 cm long.
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 The
Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) is an antelope found in Western, Central Africa, East Africa and Southern Africa.
Waterbuck stand 100 to 130 centimetres at the shoulder and weigh from 160 to 240 kilograms.
They are also very heavy. Their coats are reddish brown in colour and become progressively darker with age;
they also have a white 'bib' under their throats and a white ring on their rumps surrounding their tails.
The long spiral structured horns sweep back and up, they are found only in males.
Waterbuck are found in scrub and savanna areas near water where they eat grass. |
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 Zebras like to live in long lasting family herds and a stallion controls each family.
The stallion defends the herd against potential rivals and predators such as hyenas.
A zebra can become up to 20 years old or in a zoo up to 28 years old.
Height 4-5ft. Zebras can weigh up to 300kg and become up to 2.40 meters long.
Each Zebra has its own stripe pattern. Zebras are black with white stripes.
Zebras recognize each other by their stripe pattern and by their smell.
Some species have narrow close set stripes, while others have broader stripes.
Zebras like to help groom each other.
There are three living species of zebras: Grevy's zebra, Cape Mountain zebra,
and the Plains Zebra, which has several subspecies, including the now extinct Quagga.
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