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Gerenuk
scientific name
Litocranius walleri
size/weight/heigh
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 browser—does not eat grass, browse on
tall bushes, stand on hind legs to reach 6-8’ up, have preorbital
gland—emits 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 savanna—especially 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
not on exhibit
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