Antelopes are graceful animals with horns and long legs. They live in Africa and Asia and they eat grass and plants. Antelopes are known for their speed and agility. But there’s more to antelopes than meets the eye! Here are some fun and interesting facts about antelopes that will make you laugh and learn at the same time!
- Antelopes love to run
Antelopes are super speedy runners and can reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour) in short bursts! That’s faster than most cars on the highway! And they love to play chase games with their friends, so you might see them running around just for fun!
One of the reasons antelopes are so fast is because they have long and strong legs. Their legs are also flexible, allowing them to change direction quickly while running. So, if you ever find yourself in a game of tag with an antelope, be prepared to run fast!
- Antelopes come in all shapes and sizes
There are over 90 species of antelopes, and they come in all shapes and sizes! The smallest antelope is the royal antelope, which is only 10-12 inches (25-30 centimeters) tall and weighs only 3-5 pounds (1-2 kilograms). It’s so small that you could easily hold it in your hands!
The largest antelope is the eland, which can stand up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall and weigh over 2,000 pounds (907 kilograms)! That’s about as heavy as a small car! But regardless of their size, all antelopes have one thing in common – they are fast runners!
- Antelopes have crazy cool horns
Antelopes have some of the coolest horns in the animal kingdom! Some have long, straight horns like the sable antelope, while others have spiral-shaped horns like the kudu. And some antelopes, like the impala, have ridged horns that look like a curly mustache!
These horns are not just for show – antelopes use them for fighting, defending themselves, and attracting mates. In fact, male antelopes with bigger and more impressive horns are more likely to attract a mate. And if two male antelopes have a horn fight, the winner gets to mate with the female!
- Antelopes love to eat grass
Antelopes are herbivores, which means they only eat plants. They love to graze on grasses and leaves, and some species can eat up to 4 pounds (1.8 kilograms) of food a day! That’s a lot of salad!
But did you know that some antelopes can even eat poisonous plants without getting sick? They have special stomachs that can break down the toxins and turn them into harmless chemicals. That’s pretty amazing!
- Antelopes are great jumpers
Antelopes are not only great runners but also great jumpers! They can jump up to 10 feet (3 meters) high and 30 feet (9 meters) in length! That’s like jumping over a school bus! They use their powerful legs to jump over obstacles and escape from predators.
In fact, when an antelope senses danger, it can jump away from the threat in just a split second! This is why they are such a hard animal to catch for predators like lions and cheetahs.
In conclusion, antelopes are amazing animals that are silly and fascinating at the same time! From their impressive speed and cool horns to their love of grass and jumping abilities, they have many unique features that make them special. So the next time you see an antelope, remember these fun facts and be amazed!
Sources: Wikipedia, Live Science, Creative Commons, Britannica.com and Freesound.org
Alphabetical list of animals that start with A
A full alphabetical list of popular animals that start with the letter A for toddlers and preschool kids.
- Aardvark
- Aardwolf
- Acorn Weevil
- African Wild Dog
- Albatross
- Alligator
- Allosaurus (Extinct)
- Alpaca
- Anaconda
- Anemone
- Angelfish
- Anglerfish
- Ant
- Anteater
- Antelope
- Ape
- Aphid
- Arctic Fox
- Arctic Hare
- Armadillo
- Axolotl
- Aye-Aye
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All animals A-Z
Animal phonics alphabet
Animals that start with common phonics digraphs
Animal facts for kids
Other animal collections
Try our Printable Alphabet Worksheets! Download a FREE SAMPLE or preview all 200+ on Etsy.com or TeachersPayTeachers.com