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Bull |
Cow |
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| Mass (adult) | 137-180 kg
|
105-136 kg
|
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| Shoulder height | ± 125 cm |
± 119 cm |
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| Life expectancy | ± 13 years |
± 13 years |
|
| Trophy Records | ||
Minimum |
Record |
|
| Rowland Ward | 23" |
4 -1/4" shot in 1921 |
| SCI | 62" |
13 -2/16" shot in 1986 |
| SCI Bowhunting | 56" |
73 -6/8" shot in 1985 |
| Identification | |
 |
Several subspecies of this animal are recognised, based mainly on horn form and to a lesser extent on body colour. Only one species occur in the south. This high-shouldered, low-romped antelope has a general body colour of fawn to golden brown with black markings on the front of a long face and on all four legs. There is a well-defined, pale yellow or off-white patch on the rump. The shape of the horns is characteristic, ruling out confusion with other species. Males and females have horns but the males are larger than the females |
| Habitat | |
| The Red Hartebeest is found in semi desert savannah and may occur in open woodland. It avoids dense woodland and prefers open plains such as grasslands, floodplains, grassveld, veils and the strips of grass around plains. It is independent of water. | |
| Habits | |
| Herd size is variable from 20 to many hundreds of individuals. Harem herds, consisting of a territorial bull, cows and their young, occupy the best grazing areas while bachelor herds feed on the fringe zones. The herds are subject to considerable movement and will cover great distances in search of fresh grazing. Red Hartebeest is active in the early mornings and late afternoons and lies in the sun to rest except when it is very hot. | |
| Food | |
| Grass, especially red-grass, and also leaves. It drinks water when it is available. | |
| Vocalisation | |
| Sneezing-snort sound as an alarm. | |
| Breeding | |
| A single young is born between October and December after a gestation period of ± 8 months. Cows have 1 pair of groin mammae. | |