It is hard to guess what a Lichtenstein’s hartebeest weights. But we have the answer:
An adult Lichtenstein’s hartebeest (Alcelaphus lichtensteinii) on average weights 168.7 kg (371.91 lbs).
The Lichtenstein’s hartebeest is from the family Bovidae (genus: Alcelaphus). It is usually born with about 15 kg (33.07 lbs). When reaching adult age, they grow up to 9.7 cm (0′ 4″).
As a reference: An average human weights in at 62 kg (137 lbs) and reaches an average size of 1.65m (5′ 5″). Humans spend 280 days (40 weeks) in the womb of their mother and reach around 75 years of age.
Lichtenstein’s hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus lichtensteinii) is a subspecies of the hartebeest antelope that dwells in savannahs and floodplains of Southeastern-Central Africa. It is sometimes classified as a unique species Sigmoceros lichtensteinii.It typically stands about 1.25 m (4.1 ft) at the shoulder and have a mass of around 150 kg (330 lb). It has a red brown colour, which is lighter on the underbelly. The horns found on both sexes appear from the side to be shaped like the letter ‘S’, and appear from the front to be shaped like the letter ‘O’ with its upper portions missing. The horns are slightly ridged and reach over 0.5 m (1.6 ft) in length.They live on areas where they eat grasses. They are diurnal (active in the day). They gather in herds of five to 15 females and calves with a single male, which leads them. The male stands sentry duty on termite mounds and the like. Males hold large territories, which they mark by digging up soil with their horns around the borders. Lichtenstein’s hartebeest have good eyesight but a poor sense of smell. Their main sounds are a bellow and a sneeze-snort sound.It derives its name from zoologist Martin Lichtenstein.Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest is an animal which travels in herds. Herds are mainly kept between 1-10 individuals (89% of all LH in Tanzania have been within 1-10 animals. The herd may be composed of more than 10 individuals but it is seldom. (Booth 1985).It is noted that the highest number of Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest congregating together occur in August/September. The exact reason is unknown however this is primarily when most calves are born. Add in local migration from other herds and it may a form of anti predator grouping to protect newborn calves. However, Bachelor males are often found alone countering the herd mentality (Dowsett 1966; Wilson 1966; Rodgers 1977). Bachelor bulls do not establish territories while solitary bulls will exclude others from their domain (Dowsett 1966). The ratio of male to female LH is 1:2.37.TerritoriesLichtenstein’s Hartebeest are very territorial mammals and there is no overlap in territories between bulls. The rutting period (breeding season) runs typically from mid October to January, although slight variations exist between different locations (Dowsett 1966). Bachelor bulls will often challenge alpha bulls until the point of complete exhaustion to take over the related female LHs. There are numerous stereotyped behaviour patterns in the repertoire of the genus Alcephalus that are directly associated with territorial defence (von Richter 1972). Amongst these, pawing and homing the earth are the most conspicuous. In Zimbabwe the most conspicuous body movements were the ‘head-to-flank’, in which the head is rubbed against the shoulder, and a ‘head-flagging’ movement in which the hartebeest shook its head up and down vigorously when alarmed. Hartebeests mark their territory by forming dung piles in their respective territories.
Animals of the same family as a Lichtenstein’s hartebeest
We found other animals of the Bovidae family:
- Royal antelope bringing 3.9 kilos (8.6 lbs) to the scale
- Hirola bringing 79.13 kilos (174.45 lbs) to the scale
- Japanese serow bringing 43.03 kilos (94.86 lbs) to the scale
- Pyrenean chamois bringing 30 kilos (66.14 lbs) to the scale
- Mountain gazelle bringing 21.25 kilos (46.85 lbs) to the scale
- Kouprey bringing 788.66 kilos (1738.7 lbs) to the scale
- Yellow-backed duiker bringing 61.65 kilos (135.91 lbs) to the scale
- Saola bringing 97.84 kilos (215.7 lbs) to the scale
- Waterbuck bringing 203.2 kilos (447.98 lbs) to the scale
- Giant eland bringing 644.51 kilos (1420.9 lbs) to the scale
Animals with the same weight as a Lichtenstein’s hartebeest
As a comparison, here are some other animals that weight as much as the Alcelaphus lichtensteinii:
- Tiger with a weight of 162.28 kilos (357.77 lbs)
- Thorold’s deer with a weight of 161.68 kilos (356.44 lbs)
- Black wildebeest with a weight of 156.55 kilos (345.13 lbs)
- Lichtenstein’s hartebeest with a weight of 168 kilos (370.38 lbs)
- Gemsbok with a weight of 187.6 kilos (413.59 lbs)
- Red hartebeest with a weight of 176.12 kilos (388.28 lbs)
- Lion with a weight of 158.75 kilos (349.98 lbs)
- Giant forest hog with a weight of 196.57 kilos (433.36 lbs)
- Dwarf sperm whale with a weight of 183.07 kilos (403.6 lbs)
- East African oryx with a weight of 200.58 kilos (442.2 lbs)