EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Red Hartebeest of the Savanna

Red Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus), Family Bovidae
Kenya, Africa

Explanation:  Wandering the grasslands and open woodlands of Nairobi National Park in south-central Kenya is this large, long-faced antelope, the Red Hartebeest.

Also called Bubal Hartebeest and Coke's Hartebeest (the latter for this Kenyan subspecies, Alcelaphus buselaphus cokii), this common ungulate has  characteristically curved horns, a low-rump and high-shoulder profile, and black markings on the front of its long face and on all four of its legs.  

Red Hartebeests live in herds of dozens to hundreds during the dry season when grazing is most limited.  They can wander widely in search of fresh grass to graze.  

Territorial bulls shepherd harem herds of cows and young in the better grazing locations, relegating bachelor herds to second-class peripheral areas.