Friday, December 28, 2012

Antelopes

Antelopes are hoofed animals more like deer with hollow horns. There are many different animals with their different sizes and coats. Antelopes can be as small as rabbit like the royal antelope to ox sized elands. They live in grasslands, brush areas, and forests in much of Africa and some of Asia. Some antelopes include gazelle, impala, springbok, pronghorn, black-buck and others. They are hunted by big cats, hunting dogs such as hyenas and African hunting dogs as well as humans.

The antelopes' main defenses are camouflage and speed as antelopes can jump as well as run. They have large ears and are extremely keen in hearing out their predators. Antelope males all have antlers that could range from tiny studs of the dik-dik to 63 inch long horns of the greater kudu. 2/3 female antelopes bear horns. They eat vegetation such as grass which as ruminants, antelopes first swallow their food without chewing it and then they regurgitate a cud. Then they chew it thoroughly and swallow it. 

No comments:

Post a Comment