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| Sunday, 5 February 2006 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Antelopes : Gentle herbivores With their slender, sleek bodies and graceful movements, a majority of animals belonging to the species of antelopes,especially the gazelle, are considered creatures of beauty, Found mostly in the grasslands of Africa, the antelopes are a group of gentle herbivores, which usually move about gracefully in herds.
This species, commonly called antelopes, belong to one large family of bovines, which is divided into several sub families. There are large, medium and small antelopes. The largest antelope, Grant's Eland is 1.8 metres tall, and weighs up to 750 kg. Contrary to the popular image of a slender antelope, the Grant's Eland is nearer in general appearance to the buffalo and the ox. The smallest of the antelopes are the dik-diks, and a number of different species are known. They are nothing more than 30 or 32 centimetres in height.
Between these two extremes, there are a great many species of antelopes in varying shapes and sizes. The external differences of these animals have been determined by the environment and the different food resources available in those areas. In fact, the surroundings have had an influence over the colour of their coats, with those living in the steppes, near the desert, having lighter brown colours, and those in the dry, grassy savannah having darker brown coats. Those in the wooded areas are darker and are even striped or spotted. A striking feature of theirs is the variety of different shaped horns; some are large and spiral, as in the Greater Kudu and blackbuck or have the graceful outline of a lyre (instrument like harp), as in the impala. These horns could also be long, thin and curved backwards as in the Roan Antelope, long, thin and straight, as in the oryx or short and thick, like in the eland. In the case of the tiny dik-dik, these horns are virtually invisible. These horns are very useful to the antelopes, but defence is not the only purpose. They are frequently used by the males in their battles to gather a harem of females. These fights between males, although dramatic, are mostly ritualistic, and the antelopes rarely harm each other. The oryx's name is derived from the Greek word Orux which means pick-axe (horns). However, the oryx uses its long, pointed horns for defence, only as the last resort. Oryx have been seen defending themselves from carnivores, using their horns like swords, and trying to stab their attackers. Antelopes, especially the smaller ones, are the main source of food for the majority of carnivores, and in order to obtain a certain degree of protection, antelopes tend to stay in herds. Speed and agility is their main defence against predators. All antelopes, except the very large species like the Giant Elands (which are in danger of extinction), and the fawn coloured hartebeests, (which look clumsy in appearance) have slender bodies built especially for speed. In fact, the blackbuck can run faster than even a greyhound. The majority of antelopes in the savannah are well adapted for running, with light muscular bodies, supported by slender but strong legs. All these help the antelopes to attain bursts of great speed, when necessary. It is this ability that helps them to escape from predators: carnivores and man. The hartebeests, which are also called kongoni, belong to a group called Hippotraginae. They are large antelopes with long, narrow faces, large ears and eyes which are located near the base of their rounded horns. Even though the hartebeests look awkward when moving, and their bodies are not slender, they can move as fast as most other antelopes. The oryx is unmistakable, with long thin horns and a strong black and white facial pattern. It leads a nomadic life, and, in spite of its size, moves with great agility. It is able to run at great speed. It is frequently hunted and its numbers are now greatly reduced. Gazelles are antelopes of medium size, and are considered as symbols of beauty and gentleness. They are particularly agile and graceful. To be compared to a gazelle has always been a compliment, implying grace and gentleness. Gazelles live in a wide range of areas, from the more arid ones to the moisture savannah. They are able to survive on sparse vegetation more easily than some of the other antelopes. Widespread in Africa and Asia, different species of gazelle usually live in large herds, but at the first sign of danger, the whole herd gallops off at great speed, sending up clouds of dust. A group of gazelles in flight is an integral part of the African savannah landscape. They seem barely to touch the ground, as they bound over bushes with ease, in elegance. Gazelles have a highly developed sense of hearing and of sight. Like
many other ruminants (cud-chewing animals), gazelles are particularly
sensitive to smell, and can sense danger easily in the scents carried by
the wind. These graceful animals are also hunted by man and other
predators such as the African wild dogs, leopards, jackals and even
eagles, which take the unfortunate smaller species. |
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