Common tsessebe
A species of Tsessebes, Also known as Topi Scientific name : Damaliscus lunatus Genus : Tsessebes
Common tsessebe, A species of Tsessebes
Also known as:
Topi
Scientific name: Damaliscus lunatus
Genus: Tsessebes
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Bernard DUPONT , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
Adult tsessebe are 150 to 230 cm in length. They are quite large animals, with males weighing 137 kg and females weighing 120 kg, on average. Their horns range from 37 cm for females to 40 cm for males. For males, horn size plays an important role in territory defense and mate attraction, although horn size is not positively correlated with territorial factors of mate selection. Their bodies are chestnut brown. The fronts of their faces and their tail tufts are black; the forelimbs and thigh are greyish or bluish-black. Their hindlimbs are brownish-yellow to yellow and their bellies are white. In the wild, tsessebe usually live a maximum of 15 years, but in some areas, their average lifespan is drastically decreased due to overhunting and the destruction of habitat. 
General Info
Lifespan
15-20 years
Diet
Primarily a grazer, common tsessebe feeds predominantly on grasses, with a marked preference for short, green shoots. It browses selectively, choosing tender leaves and herbs to supplement its diet.
Appearance
Common tsessebe is a medium-sized, robust antelope with a distinctly humped profile. It is covered in sleek, short fur that varies from tan to dark brown, with darker patches on the face, shoulders, and hindquarters. Males and females both sport long, curved horns. The calves are usually lighter in color, gradually darkening with age.
Behavior
Common tsessebe is a highly gregarious species living in large herds. It primarily grazes during the cooler parts of the day and is adapted for survival in open grasslands through herd-living and vigilance towards predators. Distinctively, it engages in ritualized 'mock fights' to establish hierarchy within the herd.
Population
Decreasing
Scientific Classification
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