Types of Antelopes: Major Groups, Traits, and Examples

“Antelope” is a popular name, not a single strict taxonomic unit. It’s used to describe many hoofed mammals—mostly within the bovids—that share a similar look and lifestyle. In general, antelopes are herbivores, often gregarious (living in groups), and many males carry permanent horns that are unbranched, made of bone with a keratin sheath, and are not shed like deer antlers. To make sense of the diversity, antelopes are commonly grouped by subfamilies. Below is a clear guide to the main antelope-related subfamilies and a few well-known examples from each.

What Defines an Antelope?

Hoofed and herbivorous: Most antelopes feed on grasses, leaves, shoots, and herbs.
Built for escape: Many have long legs, light frames, and exceptional speed or stamina.
Permanent horns (in many species): Usually unbranched and not seasonally replaced.
Social behavior: Many form herds for vigilance and protection, though forest species may be more solitary.

Subfamily Antilopinae (The “True Antelopes”)

This subfamily is often described as containing the classic, “true” antelope forms—typically slim, fast, and adapted to open country.

Gazelles (Gazella spp.)

Gazelles are famous for their agility and speed—often cited as reaching around 100 km/h in short bursts. They are generally small antelopes, many measuring under about a meter in body length. Gazelles live in parts of Africa and Asia (including regions such as Turkey, Pakistan, and Israel), and different species are tied to specific habitats and ranges.

Blackbuck / Indian Antelope (Antilope cervicapra)

The blackbuck is a medium-sized antelope recognized by the male’s striking spiral, corkscrew-shaped horns. Its face has a strong contrast: the eyes and chin are pale, while much of the remaining facial area is darker, giving it a distinctive “masked” look.

Subfamily Aepycerotinae

This subfamily is represented today by a single species, known for especially long horns and athletic leaping ability.

Impala (Aepyceros melampus)

The impala is a medium-sized antelope with a light brown body, a slightly richer reddish tone along the back, and darker markings on the hind legs. The horns are typically dark and can reach impressive lengths—often described around 90 cm in mature males. Their curved shape helps males grapple and push rivals during territorial disputes and the breeding season.

Body length: often around 130 cm
Horn use: male-to-male combat and dominance

Subfamily Caprinae (Goat-Antelopes and Relatives)

Caprinae includes goats and sheep, but also several “goat-antelope” forms. In these animals, horns can be longer and slimmer than many sheep, and their mountain adaptations often define their lifestyle.

Tibetan Antelope / Chiru (Pantholops hodgsonii)

The Tibetan antelope is adapted to the harsh conditions of the Tibetan Plateau, living at elevations that can reach around 5,000 meters. It has long legs that make it look tall and a compact body covered with a woolly coat suited for cold, windy landscapes. Its horns can appear disproportionate to its body, often described as reaching about 60 cm in length.

Subfamily Reduncinae (Water-Dependent Antelopes)

Reduncinae includes antelopes strongly associated with wetlands, floodplains, and savanna water sources. They are often found where both grazing and nearby water are available.

Bohor Reedbuck (Redunca redunca)

The bohor reedbuck lives in parts of Central Africa. It has relatively small horns—often around 30 cm—and a coat that ranges from brown to reddish tones.

Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus)

Waterbucks are among the larger antelopes, with body lengths often described around 1.7–2.3 meters. Their horns show a spiral-like pattern. As the name suggests, they stay close to rivers and lakes, spending long periods near water to regulate temperature and reduce encounters with predators that avoid wading. They still require nearby grasslands for feeding.

Subfamily Hippotraginae (Large Grazing Antelopes)

These are robust, long-legged grazers—often compared to horses in overall height and build. They are strong-bodied animals designed for open terrain.

Roan Antelope (Hippotragus equinus)

The roan antelope has a brownish roan coat and a striking facial pattern: a darker “mask” across the face. It also has notably long ears that can hang forward. In this group, females may also have horns, though typically smaller than those of males.

Subfamily Alcelaphinae (Hartebeest-like Antelopes)

In Alcelaphinae, both males and females commonly have horns. Several species have elongated faces and profiles that can resemble certain cattle in head shape.

Bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus)

The bontebok is a medium-sized antelope, often described with a body length in the range of 1.2–2.1 meters. It stands out for its bold coloring: a white facial mask that contrasts strongly with a dark brown body, plus a noticeable white patch on the rear.

Subfamily Cephalophinae (Duikers: Forest Antelopes)

Cephalophinae includes the duikers of sub-Saharan Africa. Many are shy, forest-adapted antelopes that rely on cover rather than herd behavior. They tend to have small horns, and their secretive nature means some species are less studied than open-country antelopes.

Zebra Duiker (Cephalophus zebra)

The zebra duiker is small and distinctive, with dark stripes across the rear half of the back over a reddish-brown coat. It is often described around 90 cm in length, with short horns near 5 cm that can occur in both sexes. Its range is limited to a narrow West African region, and it is often described as vulnerable due to pressure from predators, habitat shifts, and environmental change.

Blue Duiker (Philantomba monticola)

One of the smallest antelopes, the blue duiker stands around 30 cm at the shoulder, with short horns near 5 cm. Its coat is typically grayish, helping it blend into shaded forest undergrowth.

Subfamily Bovinae (Large Antelope-like Bovids)

Bovinae includes cattle and bison, but within it, the tribe Tragelaphini contains several large, antelope-like bovids. These animals tend to be robust, often with longer necks, and include some of the largest “antelope” forms.

Giant Eland (Taurotragus derbianus)

The giant eland is frequently described as the largest antelope. It can reach an average length around 2.9 meters and is known for thin white stripes across a brown body. It is native to parts of West and Central Africa and is often considered at risk in many areas. Both sexes can have horns, which may form a V-shape and show spiral twisting. A large throat dewlap is often visible.

Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus)

The bongo is also a rich brown animal with bold white striping—often thicker and more sharply defined than in eland. Its horns form a V-shape but are typically less spiral-twisted. It lacks a large dewlap and often shows a darker facial “mask.” Bongos live in dense vegetation in Central African forests, using cover to avoid predators. It’s commonly described among the largest antelopes, with body length often around 2.1 meters, and exceptional individuals reported as larger.