Counting on Africa
Educational Childrens Books Publisher
Hartebeest
Meet the hartebeest, one of the most peculiar-looking antelopes on the African savanna! It has a long, narrow face, high shoulders, and a back that slopes down to its lower hips, making it look like it's always leaning forward.
But this unique shape is perfect for running! The hartebeest is not the fastest antelope, but it is a champion of endurance, able to run at a steady, loping pace for miles and miles to escape danger. They live in herds, munching on grass, and their name even means "tough ox," which fits this sturdy and resilient animal perfectly.
DID YOU KNOW?
Munching Muscles
A hartebeest's oddly shaped skull supports super-strong jaw muscles, allowing it to eat the toughest, driest grasses that other antelopes leave behind.
On The Look Out
They have excellent eyesight. Their eyes are positioned perfectly on the sides of their long face, giving them a wide, panoramic view to spot hungry predators from far away.
Snort For Safety
Hartebeests are great communicators. When a herd member senses danger, it lets out a loud snort to alert all the others, who then line up in a curious, single-file run to make their getaway.
Hartebeest are grazers, meaning they eat lots of grass!
Both males and females have curved, ridged horns.
Hartebeest use scent from their glands to mark their territory.
Hartebeest are grazers, meaning they eat lots of grass!
Find out more about the Hartebeest
