Gerenuk

scientific name

Litocranius walleri

size/weight/height

Head and Body Length: 56-64 in.
Tail Length: 9-14 in.
Horns: 12.6-17.3 in.
Shoulder Height: 32-42 in.
Weight: 64-114 lb.

adaptations/coloration

Color: reddish brown upper parts, back distinctly dark, white around eyes and underside of stomach
Body: very long limbs and neck, small head and weak chin, tail short with a black tip, horns stout at base with heavy rings, horns curve sharply forward at tips, eyes and ears are larger for it head size, female do not have horns

behavior

diurnal, live singly (males) or in small groups (females w/ young or bachelor groups), mature males are territorial, does not form migratory herds, normally shy, exclusively browserdoes not eat grass, browse on tall bushes, stand on hind legs to reach 6-8 up, have preorbital glandemits tar like scent that is rubbed on bushes to mark territory, also has gland on knees, several vocalizations inc buzzing (alarm), whistle (annoyed), loud bleat (extreme danger)

reproduction/lifespan

Lifespan: 6-7 yrs in wild, 10-12 in captivity, breed year round
Gestation: 6-7 mo., single births, females leave herd to give birth, young hidden for first week until it can keep up with herd, females bleat softly to communicate with young, sexual maturity: females 1 yr, males 1 yrs

diet

Wild: primarily leaves & young shoots of tall bushes but also buds, flowers and fruit, does not need water, does not eat grass
Zoo: hay, pelleted feed, browse

habitat/range

Habitat: desert to dry brush savannaespecially dry flat thornbush
Range: Somalia & Ethiopia south to Tanzania

status

not listed

note

gerenuk means giraffe neck in Somali, predators include: wild dogs, cheetahs, leopard, lion and jackal

oregon zoo exhibit

Africa Savanna

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