Red hartebeest
A species of Alcelaphus Scientific name : Alcelaphus caama Genus : Alcelaphus
Red hartebeest, A species of Alcelaphus
Scientific name: Alcelaphus caama
Genus: Alcelaphus
Content
Description General Info
Photo By C. Chen , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The South African hartebeest (Alcelaphus caama), also called southern hartebeest, red hartebeest, cape hartebeest or kaama, is an antelope from the group of the hartebeest (Alcelphinae) in southern Africa.
General Info
Lifespan
12-20 years
Diet
Red hartebeest, commonly known as the Red Hartebeest, is primarily a herbivore with a predominant grazer's diet. Its preferred foods include long grass, leaves, and shoots, sustaining mostly on C4 grasses during the dry season due to their high water content.
Appearance
Red hartebeest is a large, bulky hoofed mammal displaying a sandy to reddish-brown coat that darkens with age. Notable features include long, narrow faces, active, fidgety ears, and unique, lyre-shaped horns which are present in both males and females, though more substantial in the latter. The rear is noticeably higher than the shoulders, with a tufted tail and a conspicuous, white patch on the rump.
Behavior
Red hartebeest is notably gregarious, with herd sizes reaching upwards of 300 individuals. It predominantly feeds on short grasses in an opportunistic manner, displaying unique rotational grazing behavior. Red hartebeest lacks visible territorial markings, and its migratory pattern is driven by the availability of palatable grasses. Reproductive males often engage conspicuously in a ritualized 'leaping dance'.
Photo By C. Chen , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original