Hartebeest

Behavior and diet

The hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus) is a field gazelle of the family Alcelaphus. It is mainly found in medium and tall grasslands, including savannahs, and feeds almost exclusively on grass. It is medium-brown in color and has two thick horns that bow out before curving slightly back in. The hartebeest has eight subspecies. Adults stand slightly over 1 m (3.3 ft) at the shoulder. The weight of females goes from 100 to 185 kg (220 to 410 lb), whereas males measure from 125 to 255 kg (280 to 560 lb). Gestation period for the hartebeest is eight months and it normally gives birth to one young.