Hartebeest

Description and Identification:

Shoulder height:        Hartebeest males             1,25

                                      Hartebeest  females        1,10

Body mass:                  Hartebeest males             150 kg

   Hartebeest females         120 kg

•  from reddish brown to yellowish fawn
• Saddle of darker color from shoulder broadening towards the tail base
• Saddle is more distinctive in the males
• Forehead is black
• Patch of reddish brown hair across the face between and in front of the eyes and a black band down the muzzle.
• Hartebeest shoulders – distinctive hump
• Hartebeest horns are on top of the head

• Horns are close together at base – rising up and back towards the end
• Both sexes carry horns

Social behavior of Hartebeest :

• Herds – 20 individuals or larger
• Males are territorial during rut
• Mark territories with dung
• Defend territories against trespassers
• Hartebeest female herds move more widely
• Hartebeest bachelor herds – males of all sizes
• Sometimes  solitaire bulls are found
• Active – early morning and late afternoon
• Hartebeest rest during midday
• When disturbed – run off in bounding gallop, swerving from side to side .