黑马羚种

指名亚种（H. n. niger）：低危。

其种加词“niger”意为“黑色的”。

黑马羚肩高120-140厘米，体重200-270千克，雄性体型大于雌性。雌性黑马羚的体色为栗色或深褐色，雄性则为黑色。腹部、面颊部为白色，颈后长有粗鬃毛。黑马羚的角向后方弯曲，雌性角长可达1米，雄性更长，可达1.5米。

生活在大草原的林地，以中等长度的草和树叶为食。在白天活动，但天热的时候活动能力有所下降。一般由一头雄性黑马羚率领，一个种群的数量一般为10-30头，包括雌性和幼仔。雄性黑马羚通过打斗来争夺交配权。

The sable antelope (Hippotragus niger) is a large antelope which inhabits wooded savanna in East and Southern Africa, from the south of Kenya to South Africa, with a separated population in Angola.

Taxonomy

The sable antelope shares the genus Hippotragus with the extinct bluebuck (H. leucophaeus) and the roan antelope (H. equinus), and is a member of the family Bovidae.

In 1996, an analysis of mitochondrial DNA extracted from a mounted specimen of the bluebuck showed that it is outside the clade containing the roan and sable antelopes. The cladogram below shows the position of the sable antelope among its relatives, following the 1996 analysis:

Subspecies

Hipotragus niger has four subspecies:

The southern sable antelope (H. n. niger; also known as the common sable antelope, black sable antelope, Matsetsi sable antelope or South Zambian sable antelope) is regarded as the nominate subspecies, as it was the first one to be described and named in 1838. Often referred to as the black sable antelope because it tends to have the darkest coat, this subspecies occurs south of the Zambezi River, particularly in northern Botswana and in large numbers in the Matsetsi Valley of Zimbabwe, but it is also found in South Africa. In South Africa, most of the commercial sable antelope farmers crossed their Matsetsi sable antelope (indigenous to South Africa) with Zambian sable antelope in the hope to move nearer to the nearly extinct giant sable antelope (that was larger with bigger horns).

Description

The sable antelope is sexually dimorphic, with the male heavier and about one-fifth taller than the female. The head-and-body length is typically between 190 and 255 cm (75 and 100 in). Males reach about 117–140 cm (46–55 in) at the shoulder, while females are slightly shorter. Males typically weigh 235 kg (518 lb) and females 220 kg (490 lb). The tail is 40–75 cm (16–30 in) long, with a tuft at the end.

The sable antelope has a compact and robust build, characterized by a thick neck and tough skin. It has a well-developed and often upright mane on its neck, as well as a short mane on the throat. Its general colouration is rich chestnut to black. Females and juveniles are chestnut to dark brown, while males begin darkening and turn black after three years. However, in southern populations, females have a brown to black coat. Calves less than two months old are a light tan and show faint markings. The underparts, cheek, and chin are all white, creating a great contrast with the dark back and flanks. Long, white hairs are present below the eyes, and a wide, black stripe runs over the nose.

Both sexes have ringed horns which arch backwards. In females, these can reach 61–102 cm (24–40 in), while in males they are 81–165 cm (32–65 in) long.

Behavior

Sable antelopes live in savanna woodlands and grasslands during the dry season, where they eat mid-length grasses and leaves. They visit salt licks and have been known to chew bones to collect minerals. They are diurnal, but are less active during the heat of the day. They form herds of 10 to 30 females and calves led by a single male, called a bull. Males fight among themselves; they drop to their knees and use their horns.

In each herd, the juvenile males are exiled from the herd around 3 years old. All of the female calves remain, however. When the herd gets too large, it divides into smaller groups of cows and their young. These groups form new herds, once again with only one adult bull. The young males, which have been separated from the herd, associate in "bachelor groups" of up to 12 individuals. Among the bachelors, the most dominant is the first individual to join a new group of females when the position is open. Seldom, during their fights for dominance, they are able to inflict bodily harm to any contenders.

When sable antelopes are threatened by predators, including lions, they confront their attackers and fight-back aggressively.

In popular culture

The Sable Antelope is featured on the Rhodesian flag and coat of arms. It is also depicted on the Coat of arms of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. It is also the emblem of TAAG Angola Airlines.

The Zimbabwe rugby union national team is nicknamed after the sable antelope.

One subspecies, the giant sable antelope, is the national animal of Angola.

The animal and its subspecies features in several zoo games, such as Planet Zoo and the Zoo Tycoon franchise.