Overview
Slightly larger than the southern gerenuk, with a somewhat longer neck. The general color is slightly paler and less rufous, there is less contrast between the dark back and lighter flanks, and the white area on the back of the rump is smaller. The knee tufts are usually brown rather than black.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Bovidae
- Genus
- Litocranius
- Species
- Litocranius walleri
Habitat
Found in areas with woody vegetation, especially dry, flat thornbush thickets. Distribution- The southern Danakil region of Ethiopia southeast of the Awash River and north of the Chercher Mountains; southern Djibouti; the Ogaden region of Ethiopia northeast of the Webi Shebeli River; and central and northern Somalia east of the Webi Shebeli River.
Diet
This animal both grazes and browses.
Behavior
A diurnal animal (active mainly during the day), though it typically stands or rests in shade during the noon. Foraging and feeding is the major activity throughout the day; females appear to spend longer time in feeding. The gerenuk may expose itself to rain, probably to cool its body. The social structure consists of small herds of two to six members. Herds typically comprise members of a single sex, though female herds additionally have juveniles. Some males lead a solitary life.
Hunting
Both the northern and southern gerenuk can be hunted in the lowlands of Ethiopia.
Conservation Status
Listed as Near Threatened by IUCN, referring to the overall Gerenuk species.