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Red Hartebeest
Afrikaans name: Rooihartbees
Red Hartebeest in Weenen Game Reserve
Photo © Steven Herbert
Alcelaphus caama
Interesting facts about Red Hartebeest
The Red Hartebeest is an attractively coloured antelope. Males are larger than females and can weigh up to 150 kg. Females tend to weigh around 120 kg. Both sexes have horns.
The horns of the Red Hartebeest are of an unusual shape. When looked at in side profile they go backwards, then forwards and then backwards again. From the front they have the shape of a heart (without the top bit!)
The Red Hartebeest apparently has poor eye sight and relies more on its hearing and sense of smell. When startled by a predator they run in a zigzag pattern. They can reach a speed of over 50 km per hour.
Their main food item is grass.
The Red Hartebeest is normally found in small herds in grasslands, savanna and other more open habitats.
References and further reading
An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 207Chris and Tilde Stuart's Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 206
Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Year Published: 2004 - Page: 163
Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 159
Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillier - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 91
Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Year Published: 1980 - Page: 130
Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 195
Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 415
Signs of the Wild - Author: Clive Walker - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 195