Antelopes are a diverse collection of hoofed mammals native primarily to Africa and certain regions of Asia. These animals are common fixtures across vast grasslands, savannas, and forests, representing a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and behaviors. The term “antelope” is a common name used to describe nearly 100 species of slender, ruminating ungulates, all recognized for their grace and fleetness.
Defining Antelopes Within the Animal Kingdom
Antelopes belong to the family Bovidae, a large group of even-toed ungulates that also includes domestic animals like cattle, sheep, and goats. The classification of an animal as an antelope is not based on a single, distinct taxonomic group like a genus or subfamily. Instead, the common name operates as a non-monophyletic grouping, meaning it does not contain all the descendants of a common ancestor.
The term is often used as a “catch-all” designation for bovids that are not classified as bison, buffalo, cattle, sheep, or goats. Taxonomists recognize that some antelopes are more closely related to non-antelope bovids than they are to other species also called antelopes. For example, the giant eland is placed in the same subfamily as cattle, while gazelles are placed in a different subfamily entirely.
The word “antelope” is thus a functional, descriptive term rather than a precise scientific one, grouping together bovids that share a generally slender build and certain physical traits. The diversity is vast, spreading across numerous tribes and subfamilies within the Bovidae family. Despite this complexity, the group represents the majority of hollow-horned ruminants in the world.
Distinctive Physical Characteristics
A defining physical trait of antelopes is their permanent horns, which are present on all males and on about two-thirds of the females. These horns consist of a bone core covered by a durable, non-shedding sheath of keratin. This structure contrasts with the antlers of deer, which are shed and regrown annually.
The shape and size of these horns vary greatly, ranging from the short, straight spikes of the duiker to the long, corkscrew spirals of the greater kudu. Most species exhibit a body structure adapted for movement, with long, powerful legs specialized for speed and endurance across open terrain. Open-habitat species, such as gazelles, typically have a level back and equally developed limbs suited for sustained high-speed running.
In contrast, antelopes of closed habitats, like duikers and bushbucks, are smaller with overdeveloped hindquarters and a rounded back. This conformation allows for a bounding, dodging escape behavior, enabling them to quickly disappear into dense cover. Like all bovids, antelopes are ruminants, possessing a four-chambered stomach to efficiently digest fibrous grasses and plant matter.
Global Distribution and Species Diversity
The majority of antelope species are native to Africa, which is home to about 71 of the approximately 91 species. Only about 14 species are found across Asia, including the Arabian Peninsula and Central Asia. This geographic distribution highlights the evolutionary connection to Africa’s varied ecosystems, from savannas to rainforests.
The physical diversity within the group is immense, with species filling nearly every ecological niche. On one extreme is the Royal Antelope, which stands only about 10 inches tall and weighs as little as four pounds. Conversely, the Giant Eland represents the largest species, standing up to six feet at the shoulder and weighing nearly a ton.
Well-known examples like the Impala, Thomson’s Gazelle, and Greater Kudu illustrate the variety of form, from the medium-sized savanna dweller to the large, spiral-horned browser. This range demonstrates that antelopes have successfully adapted to environments from arid deserts to lush forests.