Gerenuk

Gerenuk
Male
Two female gerenuk in the San Diego Zoo
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Subfamily: Antilopinae
Tribe: Antilopini
Genus: Litocranius
Kohl, 1886
Species:
L. walleri
Binomial name
Litocranius walleri
(Brooke, 1879)
     distribution of gerenuk (2008)[2]
Synonyms[3]
  • Gazella walleri (Brooke, 1879)
  • Lithocranius walleri Thomas, 1891

The gerenuk (/ˈɡɛrɪnʊk, ɡəˈrɛnək/; Somali: garanuug; Litocranius walleri), also known as the giraffe gazelle, is a long-necked, medium-sized antelope found in parts of East Africa. The sole member of the genus Litocranius, the gerenuk was first described by the naturalist Victor Brooke in 1879. It is characterised by its long, slender neck and limbs. The antelope is 80–105 centimetres (2 feet 7 inches – 3 feet 5 inches) tall, and weighs between 18 and 52 kilograms (40 and 115 pounds). Two types of colouration are clearly visible on the smooth coat: the reddish brown back or the "saddle", and the lighter flanks, fawn to buff. The horns, present only on males, are lyre-shaped. Curving backward then slightly forward, these measure 25–44 cm (10–17+12 in).

  1. ^ IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group (2016). "Litocranius walleri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T12142A50190292. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T12142A50190292.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group (2008). "Litocranius walleri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  3. ^ Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M., eds. (2005). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 682. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.

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