Lichtenstein's hartebeest is a subspecies of the hartebeest antelope that dwells in savannahs and floodplains of Southeastern-Central Africa. It is sometimes classified as a unique species Sigmoceros lichtensteinii. It typically stands about at the shoulder and have a mass of around. It has a red brown colour, which is lighter on the underbelly. The horns found on both sexes appear from the side to be shaped like the letter 'S', and appear from the front to be shaped like the letter 'O' with its upper portions missing. The horns are slightly ridged and reach over in length. They live on areas where they eatgrasses. They are diurnal. They gather in herds of five to 15 females and calves with a single male, which leads them. The male stands sentry duty on termite mounds and the like. Males hold large territories, which they mark by digging up soil with their horns around the borders. Lichtenstein's hartebeest have good eyesight but a poor sense of smell. Their main sounds are a bellow and a sneeze-snort sound. It derives its name from zoologist Martin Lichtenstein. Lichtenstein's Hartebeest is an animal which travels in herds. Herds are mainly kept between 1-10 individuals. It is noted that the highest number of Lichtenstein's Hartebeest congregating together occur in August/September. The exact reason is unknown however this is primarily when most calves are born. Add in local migration from other herds and it may a form of anti predator grouping to protect newborn calves. However, Bachelor males are often found alone countering the herd mentality . Bachelor bulls do not establish territories while solitary bulls will exclude others from their domain. The ratio of male to female LH is 1:2.37. Territories Lichtenstein's Hartebeest are very territorial mammals and there is no overlap in territories between bulls. The rutting period runs typically from mid October to January, although slight variations exist between different locations. Bachelor bulls will often challenge alpha bulls until the point of complete exhaustion to take over the related female LHs. There are numerous stereotyped behaviour patterns in the repertoire of the genus Alcephalus that are directly associated with territorial defence. Amongst these, pawing and homing the earth are the most conspicuous. In Zimbabwe the most conspicuous body movements were the 'head-to-flank', in which the head is rubbed against the shoulder, and a 'head-flagging' movement in which the hartebeest shook its head up and down vigorously when alarmed. Hartebeests mark their territory by forming dung piles in their respective territories.
