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Sable Antelope

Hippotragus niger

A large, powerful African antelope whose black males carry huge curved horns.

🦌 Antelopes
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About the Sable Antelope

Sable antelopes live in the southern savannas of Africa, from Kenya and Tanzania to Angola, in a mix of woodlands and grassland. Males weigh about 525 pounds and stand about 4 feet tall. Both sexes have horns, but a male's are longer, up to about 5 feet. Bulls turn black at around three years old, while females and young are chestnut. Grass makes up most of their diet.[1]

Quick facts

Scientific name
Hippotragus niger[1]
Size
Males stand about 3.8 to 4.7 feet tall at the shoulder.[1]
Weight
Males about 525 pounds; females about 485 pounds.[1]
Lifespan
Up to 16 years in the wild.[1]
Diet
Herbivore. Mostly grasses.[1]
Habitat
Savanna woodland and grassland.[1]
Where it lives
Southern and eastern Africa, from Kenya to Angola.[1]
Group life
Herds of 15 to 25 females and young with one male.[1]
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2016).[2]

Fun facts

  • Male sable antelopes turn black at about three years old.[1]
  • Rival males kneel and wrestle with their horns.[1]
  • Up to 90 percent of their diet is grass.[1]

Vocabulary

savanna
A grassland with scattered trees.
harem
A group of females that live with one male.
grazer
An animal that eats mostly grass.
mane
Long hair growing on an animal's neck.
least concern
A conservation label meaning a species is widespread and not at risk of dying out soon.

See it in person

Sources

  1. [1] Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan. “Sable antelope (Hippotragus niger).” https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Hippotragus_niger/ (accessed 2026-10-02)
  2. [2] IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. “Hippotragus niger (Sable Antelope).” https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/10170/50188654 (accessed 2026-10-02)

Facts last checked 2026-10-02.

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