Gerenuk

The gerenuk, often referred to as the giraffe gazelle, is a distinctive antelope with a long neck, native to the Horn of Africa and parts of East Africa. It is the sole species in the genus Litocranius and was first described in 1879. Gerenuks are characterized by their slender necks and legs, standing between 80 and 105 centimeters tall and weighing approximately 28 to 52 kilograms. Male gerenuks possess prominent lyre-shaped horns that range from 25 to 44 centimeters in length.

Originally, the gerenuk was classified as Gazella walleri by Victor Brooke in 1879. While two subspecies have been suggested, some experts believe these might actually represent separate species. The gerenuk shares a close evolutionary relationship with the dibatag antelope. These animals are diurnal and usually form small groups. They have a unique feeding behavior: standing on their hind legs to browse on leaves, fruits, and flowers that are higher up in trees and shrubs.

Gerenuks are capable of reproducing throughout the year. Females reach sexual maturity at around one year of age, while males mature at about 1.5 years. The gestation period lasts approximately seven months, and newborns typically weigh about 3 kilograms. There have been successful breeding attempts of gerenuks through artificial insemination, with offspring born in captivity. In terms of lifespan, gerenuks can live over 13 years in captivity and at least eight years in the wild.