Antelope

Thompson Gazelle

Thompson Gazelle

We see so many different types of antelope that we have trouble keeping them straight. We see too many to include all in a post, so here is a sampling.

Thompson Gazelles are the only ones to participate in the great migration. They have a black stripe down their sides. Grant’s Gazelles (no stripe) were named after the fellow who liked to hunt them, Ulysses Grant, an ex President of the USA. Dik Dik are the smallest with a height of maybe 60 cm. Delicate and nervous, they seem to travel in 2’s. Thompson Gazelles, Grant’s Gazelles and Dik Diks are all grass eaters. Phew!

Dik Dik

Dik Dik

Impala are colored much the same as a Grant’s but they have a distinctive set of black and white stripes on their rear end. Pat says their stripes form an “M” shape for “McDonalds”, which is where the cats and the wild dogs go to eat. Their horns spiral away from their head. Leaves rather than grass are their meal of choice.

Impala

Male Impala

Tsessebe are multi-coloured and have a sloping back profile. It is said to be the fastest of the antelope.  We only see them in ones, twos or threes.

Tsessebe

Tsessebe

Waterbuck have a shaggy coat and a distinctive white ring around the rump. We find them near water only in small groups. How do they stay cool with that shagginess?

Waterbuck

Waterbuck

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