Roan Antelope

The roan antelope is large and grey or brown with long, tasseled ears. It has a distinct black and white “clown” mask, which is darker in males than in females. It is the fourth largest antelope. Both sexes have backward-curving horns, although they are shorter in females.

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Roans primarily graze grass, but will also browse shrubs and herbs. They are water-dependent.

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Roans are active both during the day and at night, but mostly in the morning and evening. They live in small-to-medium herds of 6 to 20 females and young, usually accompanied by a male.

They breed year round. After a single calf is born, the mother will conceal it in tall grass and not wander too far from it.

They can run up to 35 miles per hour.

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Roan calves are vulnerable to hyenas, leopards, and wild dogs. Although the roan is neither listed as endangered nor critically threatened, populations are declining. Factors such as habitat loss and poaching contribute to this.

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