IN-DEPTH STUDY

Litocranius walleri
An antelope, a gazelle,
or a creature from the mind of Dr. Seuss?
BY JOHN BELLUCCI

THE GERENUK IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE strangest looking gazelle-like antelope in Africa, if not the world! In fact, it goes by a couple of other names, the Waller's gazelle and the giraffe antelope, which is fitting if you consider in Swahili this delicate animal is called Swala Twiga - giraffe antelope! Its facial structure really does remind me of the type of creatures from the mind of Dr. Seuss!

There is still debate as to whether this creature is an antelope or a gazelle. While it is on the small side, like a gazelle, it is also large enough to be considered an antelope, like an impala. The coloration of a gerenuk, however, is similar to that of an impala: a red-brown saddle over the back, clearly separated from the buff-colored sides and limbs by a lighter edging, with white under-parts and a white rump patch. The tail of a gerenuk is white near its broadened base with a black terminal tuft, its underside being black and hairless...