Coke's hartebeest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coke's hartebeest |
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| At the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Bovidae |
| Subfamily: | Alcelaphinae |
| Genus: | Alcelaphus |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
A. b. cokii
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| Trinomial name | |
| Alcelaphus buselaphus cokii Günther, 1884
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| The range | |
The Coke's hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus cokii), also known as the Kongoni, is a large antelope. These animals travel long distances. They are found naturally in the countries of Kenya and Tanzania.
Sometimes, a Coke's hartebeest can breed with another type of hartebeest. This other type is called the Lelwel hartebeest. When they breed, they create a mixed animal. This new animal is known as the Kenya Highland hartebeest.
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What Does a Hartebeest Look Like?
The Coke's hartebeest has a long, narrow face. Its ears are pointed. It also has long legs and a back that slopes downwards. Both male and female hartebeests have ridged horns. These horns can grow up to 70 centimeters (about 27 inches) long.
Their fur is short and reddish-brown. They have a white patch on their rear end. Their short tail has a black tuft of hair at the very end. Baby hartebeests, called calves, look a bit paler than the adults.
Size and Weight
Male Kongonis are usually bigger than females. A male can stand about 117–124 centimeters (46-48 inches) tall. They can weigh around 129–171 kilograms (284-376 pounds).
Female Kongonis are a little smaller. They are about 112 centimeters (44 inches) tall. Their weight is usually between 116–148 kilograms (255-326 pounds).
How Hartebeests Behave
Coke's hartebeests live in groups. They have interesting ways of interacting with each other.
Living in Herds
Most Coke's hartebeest herds are made up of females. These groups usually have 6 to 30 members. They tend to stay together and don't often let new animals join. These herds often move from one place to another.
Male hartebeests, called bulls, usually live separately. They only join the female herds when they are looking for a mate or guiding the group. Sometimes, female groups might stay in one area for a long time. There can also be herds made up only of males. These male-only groups can have up to 35 individuals.
Parents and Babies
When a female hartebeest is about to have a baby, she often goes off by herself. Sometimes, her older children might stay with her. After a calf is born, it can stand up steadily in about 30 minutes. Within 10 minutes of standing, a calf can already walk and run!
The mother and her new calf stay hidden and isolated for about two weeks. Female Coke's hartebeests can have a new calf every 9–10 months. This is quite fast, sometimes too soon for the last calf to be fully grown.
Male calves stay with their mothers for up to two years. This is longer than some other similar antelopes. However, they become adults at the same age as wildebeests, around 3–4 years old. When male calves are about three years old, they might run away from their original herd. Or, the main male bull in the herd might chase them away. After this, they join groups of other young males. Between 3 and 4 years old, these young males start looking for their own areas to live in.
Surviving in Hot, Dry Places
Coke's hartebeests live in hot and dry places. They have special ways to stay cool and save water.
One way they cool down is by panting. This helps them lose heat through evaporation. Their body also tries to save water. They have a lower basal metabolic rate. This means their body uses less energy when resting. Using less energy helps them save water. Most animals in deserts have a lower metabolic rate because food can be hard to find.
Coke's hartebeests also lose very little water each day. They have a low water turnover rate. This helps them survive in their hot, dry homes.
