Sable Antelope
Read More
An average adult Sable Antelope male weighs about 525 lbs., but I believe that this old buck may be heavier.The horns sweeping back over his neck are a very effective weapon. In a fight, he will kneel down, turn his head sideways, and use a sweeping motion like a scythe to impale his adversary. This species has a facemask similar to the roan antelope. Both sexes have horns. The red-billed oxpeckers are ever-present on this species also. [Hwange NP, Zimbabwe].
This beautiful adult male Sable Antelope has found a saltlick which required his kneeling. Note the very sturdy horns, which, in the male, turn more rearward and downward to the animal's back. Both sexes bear horns, but the females' are lighter and do not turn downward. [Chobe NP, Botswana].
The same Sable Antelope, as the previous image at the salt lick. He now has turned his head to give us a good view of his mask, which is slightly different than that of the Roan Anelope: the nose has less white around its nostrils. (see previous image & text). [Chobe NP, Botswana].
All those at the water drinking are adult female Sable Antelope. The females may be more brownish (but turn blacker when they become older). Both sexes bear horns, but the female's are thinner and do not develop the marked posterior curvature. [Mussima Dam, Zimbabwe].
Most of these Sable Antelopes--if not all--are female. The brownish individuals are younger. [Mussima Dam, Zimbabwe].
An adult female Sable Antelope:with two youngsters.The one in front with tiny horns is about 6 wks old. Sables are closely related to Roan Antelopes. The Sable is more furtive and likes the wooded or light forest aeas, whereas the Roan is mostly a plains' animal (see Roan Antelope). [Zimbabwe].
Juvenile Sable Antelope, about 4-5 months old. [Zimbabwe]
A Sable Antelope male, with an elephant standing behind. {Mussima Dam, Zimbabwe].
Two young adult Sable Antelopes---female on the left, male on the right (frontal)---standing in the tall grass. This species favors the cover provided by woodlands and dense brush. [Zimbabwe].
Young adult female Sable Antelopes with a youngster behind.them. [Musima Dam, Zimbabwe].
Both are young, preadult male Sable Antelopes---the one on the right being the elder. I saw both with separate, small groups of females. As they get older, the horns curve backwards, and become almost parallel to their spines. The coat turns black. One might wonder how they can be used to fight when they are pointed backwards: they kneel, turn their heads sidewise, and swing them like a scythe. [Botswana].
- One very young Sable Antelope colt about 2-3 weeks old that has not yet developed any horns. There is an older juvenile standing behind. [Zimbabwe].
