Large Antelope
Just How Large Is A Large Antelope?
If you want to see a large antelope you'll want to visit Africa, home to nearly all of the antelope species, including the largest, and the smallest for that matter. We'll take a look at several of the largest species, including one which more or less towers over the rest.
The most common large antelope, in fact the antelope existing in the greatest numbers, is the Wildebeest, of which there are two species, the Black Wildebeest and the Blue Wildebeest. This antelope once roamed in massive herds, but today is found mainly in nature reserves. Their habitat is open grassland wherever water is available. The males are quite territorial, and will vigorously defend the females in their care from any encroaching males. They are often found where there are herds of zebra, with the two animals coexisting nicely together.
Another large antelope, the Waterbuck, is a rather docile beast. It relies on its ability to emit an unpleasant odor to keep most predators, even the crocodile, at bay. The Waterbuck is found mainly in riparian and marshy areas, but is not truly an aquatic animal. The two species of the Waterbuck are quite similar, differing mainly in the color of their coat, one being grey and the other a reddish brown. The two species are known to interbreed on occasion. The Waterbuck is found in the Rift Valley in East Africa, but its range extends into central and west Africa as well.
The Impala, despite being rather large as antelopes go, is extremely graceful in its movements, and overall is very elegant in appearance. The impala is the most common antelope found the woodlands of southern Africa. The males tend to be quite territorial, and constantly test one another. They are very adaptable in their diet, and can get by with either browsing or grazing, depending upon the habitat they find themselves in. Three other fairly large antelopes are the Gemsbock, the Hartebeest and the Tsessebe.
As large as these species are, they are somewhat dwarfed by the largest antelope, the Eland. The Eland is indeed a very large antelope, standing nearly 6 feet at the shoulder, and weighing nearly 1,500 pounds. Although the size of a medium sized horse, the Eland is exceptionally graceful and fast when in flight. Its habitat ranges from semi-arid desert to savanna. The Eland is tawny in its color and both males and females have short spiraled horns. Today this large antelope exists mainly in game reserves and protected areas. The Eland will both browse and graze, but is primarily a browser. One feature of these antelopes is the very distinctive clicking sound when they walk. They have split hooves, which are thought to cause the clicking sound as the two halves make contact.