Sable

 
Setswana Name:  Kwalata
 
Scientific Name: 

Hippotragus Niger

 
The Sable Antelope is regarded by many as the most magnificent antelope in Africa. The males have the glossy, jet-black coat set off by striking white facial markings and underbelly. The females are rusty red and handsome creatures in their own right.
 
In common with other members of the Hippotragini antelope tribe, both sexes have horns. Sable Antelope have ringed horns which arch backward, in males they can reach over one and a half meters and in females these can reach a meter.Like its close relative, the Roan, the Sable has a conspicuous mane and this, combined with its horse-like build, have earned them the family name of Hippotragini, which means ‘horse-goat'.
 
Other antelope back off when the Sable Antelope approaches, and spotted hyenas, wild dogs, cheetahs and leopards are very reluctant to challenge this courageous and dangerous fighter. Even lions have been known to come off second best; gored to death by their deadly horns.
 
Sable antelope are gregarious animals and congregate in herds of up to 40 individuals. Like their cousins, the Roan Antelope, Sable have a very similar social structure. Each herd is accompanied by a dominant bull which - although it may often feed away from the harem - will never be far away and will always accompany them to water, where attack from a predator is most likely.
 
As there is only one adult bull in each herd, juvenile males are evicted at the age of three years and form "bachelor groups" where they remain for about two or three years before they can acquire their own breeding herd, by fighting the herd bull.
Fights are more a display of supremacy, very seldom causing any body harm.
Sable will confront any predator, very often the later being gored and killed by the Sable's formidable horns.
Adults weigh up to 250 Kg and have a life span of about 15 years
 
Reproduction
After a gestation period of eight to nine months, expectant females leave the herd to give birth to a single calf. The sandy-coloured calf is then concealed in long grass for the first three weeks of its life, before its mother leads it into the herd. Single calves are usually born between January and March when the grass is fairly high. The calves don't seem to have an odour, which helps protect them against predators: after being suckled and cleaned by its mother, they usually choose a new hiding place, thereby lessening the chance of being scent-trailed by predators. Females and calves are at risk to Spotted Hyena, Leopard, Cheetah and Wild Dog.
 
Habitat
Sable Antelope are a savanna woodland species, and are dependant on cover and the availability of water. Open grassy plains, short grass environments and thickets are avoided, except for adult bulls taking refuge in thickets. Sable are extremely susceptible to droughts with a severe, rapid depletion of forage quality. These often result in high mortalities. As they are intolerant of severe cold spells, it is essential that the habitat includes patches of thicket vegetation that allow refuge against cold and winds. However, if not confined by a lack of space or game fencing, they may migrate away from these conditions.

Good numbers of the Sable Antelope occur in Botswana's Okavango Delta, where visitors have a chance of encountering them on safari.
 

Food
Sable are primarily grazers of dominant grass species, either of medium height or in new growth. During the dry season they are typically found in valley bottoms and along drainage lines, where they are able to find drinking water on a daily basis. In the wet season they leave the heavy spoils of the lowlands to move into broad-leaved woodlands.