Click on the image to view larger

The Sable Antelope stands 120 to 140 centimetres at the shoulder and weigh 200 to 270 kilograms, males being larger than females. Female Sable Antelope are chestnut to dark brown darkening as they mature while males are very distinctively black. Sable Antelope form herds of ten to thirty females and calves led by a single male, called a bull. Sable Antelope males will fight among themselves; they drop to their knees and use their horns. When sable antelopes are threatened by a predator, including lions, they will confront it, using their scimitar-shaped horns. Many of these big cats have died during such fights. Despite their effectiveness, the sable’s horns have contributed to the sharp decline of the animal, being a highly prized hunting trophy.
Sable Antelope (Hippotragus niger), Chobe National Park, Botswana, Africa

Nikon D200, Nikkor 80-400 mm at 400 mm, 1/320 sec at f/ 5.6, ISO 125
© Konstantinos Arvanitopoulos Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Featured in 7 groups:
“Fauna, Flora, Landscapes and Architecture of South Africa”
“Absolute Clarity”
“Beautiful”
“Closeups in Nature”
“Zingers”
“Amazing Wildlife”
“Wild Nature Photography”

Views 650 / Favorited by 5 people / April 12, 2013