HARTEBEEST (Alcelaphus buselaphus)

Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus) Swahili: Kongoni
The hartebeest is a medium-sized antelope and it is common in all Tanzania National Parks.It is easy to recognise as it has a long,narrow face and distinctively angular short horns on both sexes which are heavily ridged.Colouring is generally lightbrown on the back,becoming paler towards the rear and under the belly.The back slopes away from the humped shoulders.They prefer grassy plains for grazing but are also found in lightly treed savannah or hills.The hartebeest feeds exclusively on grass,and ususally drinks twice daily,although it can go for months without water if necessary.They are social beasts and often intermimgle with animals such as zebras and wildebeest.Their behavior is not unlike the wildbeest's,particularly the head tossing and shaking.Sexual maturity is reached at around 2 years and calving goes on throughout the year,although there are peak periods in February and August.Predators are mainly the large cats,hyena and hunting dogs.