Top 25 Facts about Antelope You Must Know

1. Male antelopes have horns that curve backward. Females do not have horns. Both males and females have large ears, strong legs, and long tails.

2. Antelopes are herbivores. Their diet consists mainly of grasses, herbs, shrubs, leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits, and roots.

3. Each year, male antelope lose their horns. This is caused by rubbing against trees and bushes while grazing.

4. Antelopes are preyed upon by predators such as coyotes, bobcats, foxes, wolves, cougars, eagles, hawks, owls, and snakes.

5. In North America, the antelope family includes bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and white-tailed deer. They are ruminants that have two stomachs (rumen and reticulum). Their digestive system allows them to efficiently break down tough vegetation into usable nutrients.

6. Antelopes can run at speeds up to 60 mph! That’s faster than a cheetah but slower than a horse.

7. An adult male antelope weighs between 200-and 500 lbs; females weigh less.

8. Antelopes are herbivores that eat grasses and shrubs. They have long legs, small ears, horns, and hooves. Their coats vary from brown to white. There are five kinds of antelope. These are the gazelle, eland, kudu, tiang, and topi.

9. Antelopes live in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Australia. Some of them are endangered.

10. Antelopes can run at speeds of over 40 mph.

11. Antelopes are classified as ruminants (animals that chew cud). Ruminants use their stomachs to break down food. This helps them digest it better.

12. Antelope mothers give birth to twins.

13. An antelope's head weighs between 10-and 20 lbs.

14. Antelopes are the only mammals that can run at speeds over 60 mph (96 km/h). This is thanks to their unique hind legs called the hock joint. This allows them to move forward even while standing still. Their front legs have evolved into long, slender limbs to help them jump high and clear obstacles.

15. Antelopes are herbivores, meaning they eat plants. They graze on grasses and herbs throughout the year.

16. They use their horns to defend themselves from predators and other animals. These horns are used for both fighting and showing dominance. Males often use these weapons to challenge each other. Females use their horns to protect their young.

17. Male antelope are known as bulls, but females are not always cows. Some female antelopes are referred to as does, heifers, or ewes.

18. Antelopes are native to Africa, Asia, and Europe.

19. There are currently over 20 species of antelope around the world.

20. Antelopes are herbivores that have been domesticated into livestock. They can be found in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Australia. Their diet consists of grasses, herbs, shrubs, trees, fungi, and insects.

21. Antelopes can live in habitats ranging from deserts to rainforests. There are two types of antelope: Bovids (cows, sheep, goats) and cervids (deer).

22. Antelopes are known to have existed since prehistoric times. The earliest evidence of antelope was found in fossils dating back 130 million years ago.

23. In the wild, antelopes spend their time grazing, resting, and socializing.

24. Antelopes are often hunted for meat, hides, horns, and bones.

25. Antelope farming has become popular in some countries. Since they are docile animals, they are easy to train and handle.