A large populations of topis can live off the same land as cattle, even when the number of cattle is at the carrying capacity (Kingdon, 1989).
Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
The population of topis covers a large geographic area but has been broken up by hunting and habitat destruction by man (Estes, 1991).
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Topis, like other bovids, are fairly easy to maintain so they are an excellent animal to be displayed in zoos (Kingdon, 1989). They are hunted as trophies and for meat. Like other African bovids, they provide food for a large community of predators.
Positive Impacts: food ; body parts are source of valuable material
The diet of topis is composed almost entirely of grass. These animals have two feeding peaks, one in the morning and one in the late afternoon, but they can be found feeding at any time. Topis do not have to drink if the grass they are eating is water saturated. If they are eating dry grass, then they must drink water every day or two. During the rains, topis feed for longer periods of times and at shorter intervals (Estes, 1991).
The range of the topis includes a series of segregated populations. These populations extend from the northern savanna to east and southern Africa (Estes, 1991).
Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )
Topis prefer grassland habitats. These areas range from large treeless plains to areas with little bush and tree savannas. Topis are sometimes found in the uplands but are usually found in the lowlands. During the rains, topis avoid short or very mature grasses. In the dry season, they are abundant in any plant communities where there is a lot of grass (Estes, 1991).
Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; forest ; scrub forest
Range lifespan
Status: wild: 15 (high) years.
Topis are medium sized antelopes and range in height from 104 cm - 126 cm in males and 105 cm - 118 cm. The body of the topis is covered with a short, glossy coat that is tan in color with purple spots underneath. The markings of the topis are either white or dark in color. Adult males are darker than females and young calves have light markings. Topis have a long and narrow muzzle. Their horns oare S-shaped and are ringed, and range in length from 30 cm - 40 cm (Estes, 1991).
Range mass: 90 to 147 kg.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Topis breed once a year. Most populations breed at the same time but a few populations have two calving peaks in a year. Unlike their close relatives, topis usually calve at the end of the dry season and have a good success rate. Gestation usually lasts around eight months. The calves are unusual because they can grow up as either a follower or a hider. If a calf is a follower, it is concealed within a large group of topis and is protected from predators by being in the herd. In small herds, babies may be "hiders"; that is, the mother may leave the herd for the birth of the calf and first few months afterward. Females only do this if there are places with considerable cover in which to hide from predators. Sometimes even in the large groups, the calves will leave the group at night to hide. The maternal bond lasts about a year or until the next calf is born. Males as young as eight months have been found in bachelor herds, but most males join these herds at the age of one year, at the end of the calving season or by the beginning of the rut. Females can breed at 16 - 18 months and reach their adult size in two years. Males are mature at three years of age, but it is unlikely that any will mate before four years of age (Estes, 1991).
Range number of offspring: 1 (low) .
Average number of offspring: 1.
Range gestation period: 7.83 to 8.03 months.
Average gestation period: 8 months.
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
Average birth mass: 11100 g.
Average number of offspring: 1.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 639 days.
Parental Investment: altricial
