These Long-Necked Antelope Stand Tall in the Wild

by Lucas Abiy, age 8

Gerenuks are not your typical antelope. This species has distinguishable long necks, legs, horns, and large eyes.

In Somali ,the word gerenuk means giraffe-necked. Unlike other four-legged creatures, these unique antelope often dine on two legs. Gerenuks feed on leaves from high places such as high bushes, shrubs, blooms, and shoots. Gerenuks have specialized backbones that help them stand on two legs. They can also reach up to six feet on four feet making them really tall. They can reach things that other animals can’t reach.

Gerenuks live in East Africa in the countries of Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Northern Tanzania. They prefer to live on semi-arid bush land and dry deserts. They avoid dense forests and open grasslands. Where they can’t see predators from far away.

Gerenuk females and males are similar in size. Their necks can reach a length of three and a half feet. Gerenuks can weigh about 65 to 110 pounds. Only male gerenuks have large ridged horns that curve back up. Some natural predators are cheetahs, lions, and wild dogs

Gerenuks live in small herds of ten or less, including their young. In mating season, male gerenuks mark their territories with pheromones and urine to protect them from other young males. Females with young roam freely throughout the marked areas. Gerenuks are polygonous, meaning they mate with multiple females. Interestingly, they also mate with other antelope species. Following a gestation period of seven months, the females give birth to one calf. Twins are rare. Newborns are able to walk in minutes, but they have to be hidden from predators for a week.

Gerenuks are fascinating creatures that have adapted to their environment and can survive by drinking little to no water!

[Source: Denver Zoo, Saint Louis Zoo]