SABLE ANTELOPE 



201 



well developed mane extends to the middle of the back. 

 Tail tufted with long black hair. Horns fairly short for 

 the size of the head and not so heavily curved as in 

 the succeeding species, and rounder than those of the 

 Sable. Length of male about 30 to 86 inches ; female 

 24 to 29 inches. Records 40-1 ('"ale) 29^ (female). Height 

 at the shoulder from 4i to 4| feet. Length of head and 

 body about 8 feet. It is a larger animal than the Sable. 

 Weight about 600 lb. 



It is now rare south of Ehodesia, though still found in 

 Bechuanaland and the Eastern Transvaal, in the South- 

 West Protectorate and Mashonaland. It inhabits open 

 or hilly country clothed with scattered bush, consorting 

 usually in small parties of from six to a dozen indi- 

 viduals. It will take to thick bush on occasion ; it is a 

 grass feeder, and drinks regularly. The young ones 

 resemble those of the Sable, and are usually born in 

 January and February. It is a bad runner, but a spirited 

 animal when wounded, charging without fear. One ex- 

 ample lived in the National Zoo for fourteen years, and 

 was not young when received. 



Hippotragus niger. Sable Antelope. Zioart Witpens. 



Native names : Potoquani (Southern Bechuana) ; Kualata 

 tcliumu (Ngami, Bechuanas) ; Kualata tnchu (Bamang- 

 wato and Makololo) ; Kualata nitso (Barotsi). 



Colour, very dark brown, some of the bulls almost 

 black. There is a conspicuous white stripe on either side 

 of the face ; chin and lower portion of jaw also white. It 

 has a mane on the neck similar to that of the Roan. 

 The rump, belly and insides of the hind legs above the 

 hocks are white. The horns are longer, laterally com- 

 pressed, and more curved than those of the Roan. Average 



