The Sable Antelope is a large species of antelope with chestnut, dark brown, or black fur. Adult males are much bigger than females, measuring about 4 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing around 520 pounds! Females are a bit shorter and weigh around 490 pounds.

Sable antelopes have large necks with an upright mane on the back of its neck. They also have horns on their heads that can measure anywhere from 2 to over 5 feet long!

Sable antelopes live in wooded savanna and grassland areas in southern and eastern Africa. They are diurnal animals, meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night. However, sable antelopes are less active when the temperatures are the hottest, typically during mid-day.

Most antelopes travel about a mile each day with their herd, which can consist of anywhere from 10 to 30 antelopes. Most herds consist of females and calves and one male leader. Sable antelopes are rather timid but can become aggressive with predators and when fighting for mates and territories. 

Sable antelopes are herbivorous animals that specialize in browsing. Most of their diet consists of leaves, grasses, foliage, and herbs. In fact, leaves from trees make up 90% of the sable antelope’s diet!

They also visit salt licks that provide them with minerals and nutrients. Sable antelopes have been known to chew on bones for minerals as well. They have ruminant digestive systems, meaning they must acquire nutrients to survive from plant-based foods, instead of from other animals. 

Sable antelopes are polygynous animals, meaning they have multiple mates. Breeding season begins in May and ends in July, resulting in most calves being born in February to March.

A female antelope gives birth to one calf at a time, which is born with a light sandy-colored coat to help it camouflage. The mother hides the calf away in brush and vegetation for about 10 days after it is born. After a few weeks, the young calf is strong enough and joins the herd. Young antelopes become sexually mature at 2 or 3 years old. Their light-colored coats will darken and they will achieve status within the herd.

Young male sable antelopes are exiled from their herds at around 3 years old and must join bachelor groups. These groups are filled with around 12 males where the most dominant is then the next one to join a group of females when the spot is available.

Sable antelopes are rather timid but can become aggressive with predators and when fighting for mates and territories. In fact, it has been known that they will fight with large cats like lions. Using their large, sharp horns, the antelope will fight the large predator, and many instances have resulted in killing the big cat.