Study Subjects: Large Mammalian Herbivores
You will focus on some of the herbivores that live in Mpala. Here are the four representative species.
Dik-dik (Madoqua guentheri)
Average Weight: 5 kg
Range: East Africa
Notes: Dik-dik are small antelopes that weigh about as much as a domestic cat. The name comes from the warning sound they make. Dik-dik are monogamous and live in mated pairs.
Conservation Status: Populations are stable.
Average Weight: 5 kg
Range: East Africa
Notes: Dik-dik are small antelopes that weigh about as much as a domestic cat. The name comes from the warning sound they make. Dik-dik are monogamous and live in mated pairs.
Conservation Status: Populations are stable.
Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer)
Average Weight: 450 kg
Range: throughout sub-Saharan Africa, primarily limited to protected parks and preserves
Notes: Cape buffalo can form huge herds of over 1,000 animals. Being in large herds helps to protect individuals from predators.
Conservation Status: The species is listed as “Least Concern,” meaning it is not threatened with extinction.
Average Weight: 450 kg
Range: throughout sub-Saharan Africa, primarily limited to protected parks and preserves
Notes: Cape buffalo can form huge herds of over 1,000 animals. Being in large herds helps to protect individuals from predators.
Conservation Status: The species is listed as “Least Concern,” meaning it is not threatened with extinction.
Impala (Aepyceros melampus)
Average Weight: 40 kg
Range: wide range across southern and East Africa
Notes: Impala are medium-sized antelopes. They can leap 3 meters high and use this ability as an escape strategy when fleeing predators.
Conservation Status: Populations are stable.
Average Weight: 40 kg
Range: wide range across southern and East Africa
Notes: Impala are medium-sized antelopes. They can leap 3 meters high and use this ability as an escape strategy when fleeing predators.
Conservation Status: Populations are stable.
Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi)
Average Weight: 375 kg
Range: historically larger, but now limited to areas of Kenya and Ethiopia
Notes: Grevy’s zebras are taller than the more common plains zebra and have narrower stripes. Each zebra has a unique stripe pattern that researchers can use for identification.
Conservation Status: The species is endangered. There are only about 2,600 animals left in the world. However, the population in Kenya is stable and increasing.
Average Weight: 375 kg
Range: historically larger, but now limited to areas of Kenya and Ethiopia
Notes: Grevy’s zebras are taller than the more common plains zebra and have narrower stripes. Each zebra has a unique stripe pattern that researchers can use for identification.
Conservation Status: The species is endangered. There are only about 2,600 animals left in the world. However, the population in Kenya is stable and increasing.
