An Interactive Field Guide

Genealogy of the Herd.

Every animal at 3:16 belongs to the family Bovidae — but their lineages diverge into woodlands, wetlands, cliffs and open plains. Walk the phylogenetic tree, and read each species on its own terms.

Sable Antelope
Animalia›Chordata›Mammalia›Artiodactyla›Bovidae›Hippotragus

Sable Antelope

Hippotragus niger

Jet-black bulls. Selected for horn length, mass, symmetry.

Origin
Southern Africa — miombo woodland
Weight
190–270 kg
Horn
Scimitar, up to 165 cm
IUCN
Least Concern (giant subsp. Critically Endangered)

Field Note

“A mature sable bull will use its scythe-like horns to fight off lions — and often win.”

Etymology of Hippotragus: Greek híppos (horse) + trágos (goat).

Side by Side

Compare the Herd

Featured · AI Tool

Imagine the Next Generation.

Pick a sire and a dam from the herd. I'll draft a biblical name, a scripture, traits and a short poem for the imagined calf.

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cross

Sable Antelope × Nyala

Biblical Bloodline Builder

The calf, named & blessed.

Welcome. Pick a sire and a dam above, then press Imagine the calf. I'll draw up a bloodline card — biblical name, scripture, traits, a short poem.
Glossary

A few terms worth knowing.

Binomial
The two-part Latin name: genus + species. Italicized by convention.
Bovidae
The cloven-hoofed family of cattle, antelope, sheep and goats. Horns are permanent.
Browser
Feeds on leaves, twigs and shoots — not grass. Kudu and nyala are classic browsers.
Grazer
Feeds primarily on grass. Sable and lechwe lean grazer.
Sexual dimorphism
Visible difference between male and female. Most extreme here in nyala.
Stotting
A stiff-legged, four-footed bounce. A signal of fitness to predators.