The gerenuk, or the giraffe gazelle or the Waller’s gazelle, is one of the most recognizable antelopes in Africa because of its customary long neck and legs and lyre-like curved horns only seen in males. First described by naturalist Victor Brooke in 1879, its name comes from garanuug, which means “giraffe-necked” in Somali.
Animalia | |
Chordata | |
Mammalia | |
Artiodactyla | |
Bovidae | |
Litocranius | |
L. walleri |
Animalia | |
Chordata | |
Mammalia | |
Artiodactyla | |
Bovidae | |
Litocranius | |
L. walleri |
Height: Male: 35–41.5 in (89–105 cm); Female: 31–39 in (80–100 cm)
Weight: Male: 68-115 lb (31-52 kg); Female: 62–99 lb (28–45 kg)
Face: The gerenuk has a small head, with tufts of fur running from its ears to eyes, also surrounding its mouth.
Tail: It is very prominent, 10–14 in (25–35 cm) length, ending in a black tuft.
Body and Coloration: They can be discerned quickly by their long neck and legs. Their coats are smooth and glossy, made up of short hair.
These antelopes exhibit sexual dimorphism. The males have a robust build and muscular necks, alongside big, curved horns (10-17.5 inches) that are absent in females.
They have a buff or yellowish-beige dorsal region, distinguished by a reddish-brown back. The ventral part, particularly the areas around their tail, eye rings, lips, and throat patch, appear white, and the underbelly and legs are cream. Female gerenuks have a dark patch on their crown.
This species’ domain covers the eastern part of Africa, known as the Horn of Africa. It includes the Serengeti plain of north-eastern Tanzania, southern Djibouti, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and southern Somalia.
It can survive in most environments containing succulent plants, preferring places with moderately woody foliage like dry flat thornbushes and thickets, avoiding either dense vegetation or very open habitats.
Unlike most other antelopes, gerenuks are browsers and foragers, feeding on plants and not grass. This is because they stand on their hind legs to eat, getting access to plants that would generally be out-of-reach. Their diet includes tender leaves of prickly flora and trees, shoots, herbs, flowers, and fruits. They do not drink freestanding water, as they get all the moisture they need from succulent plants.
They live for 8-10 years, with females surviving longer than males.
Most of Africa’s big cats like lions, leopards, and cheetahs, as well as cape hunting dogs, hyenas, servals, honey badgers, caracals, and eagles, pose a threat to these antelopes.
They are polygynous, having a complex mating ritual. If the female responds positively while encountering a potential mate, the male will mark her thighs with the secretions from the pre-orbital glands found in their eyes. He will then follow her around until she is ready to mate.
They breed year-round, sometimes preferring the rainy season.
The gestation period of the fawn is 6-7 months. After being weaned for 12-18 months, the babies become independent. They reach sexual maturity at around 1-2 years.
The IUCN lists the gerenuk as “NT” or “Near Threatened”. Its population appears to be decreasing due to activities like hunting as game and other human interference.
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