Species profile
About the roan antelope
The roan is the second-largest antelope in Africa after the eland, standing well over a metre and a half at the shoulder. Its sandy-roan coat, black-and-white clown-like face mask and long, drooping, tasselled ears make it one of the most distinctive animals in Tanzania's miombo country.
Roan need extensive, lightly grazed woodland grassland and are scarce almost everywhere. Ruaha, Katavi and the Nyerere–Selous ecosystem are the Tanzanian places to look, and Mahale's higher grasslands hold them too. Both sexes carry backward-sweeping ringed horns.
Life in the wild
Behavior & relationships
Behavior
Grazes morning and late afternoon and drinks regularly. Bold in defence — roan will confront predators rather than flee, kneeling to fight with the horns.
Social life
Herds of about five to fifteen females and young led by a dominant cow, accompanied by a single mature bull; other bulls form bachelor groups.
What makes it remarkable
Special features
Long tasselled ears, a bold facial mask, and a readiness to fight predators from a kneeling position.