The Topi is in the family of the antelopes; with lyre-shaped thick and heavily ringed horns about 21 inches long. When seen physically, topis have dark-mask coloration on their face and reddish brown bodies with dark purple patches on their upper legs, elongated heads with a hump on the base of the neck. A sub-Saharan antelope (Damaliscus lunatus synonym D. korrigum) having a glossy usually reddish-brown coat with purplish-black and yellowish markings.
Topi are notably fast and social species of antelopes belonging to the Damaliscus genus thriving in the deserts savannah and the flood plains of southern Sahara and is one of the common wild game encountered on safari in uganda Regarding the description, the Topi resemble a Hartebeest but its features a darker coloration and do not have horns that are sharply angled. They feature elongated heads, reddish brown bodies featuring dark purple patching on the upper legs, mask like dark face coloration and a distinct hump at the neck base.
The Topi horns are ringed and a lyrate shape and their coat features short shiny hairs. Their weight ranges from 70 to 165kg while their body length is about 160 to 215cm and the tail has a length of 38 to 60cm. The Topis are remarkably tall species raging from 100 to 140cm in height at the shoulder; the male Topis are considerably larger than appears darker than the female Topis. Their front legs features hoof glands while the preorbital glands secrete clear oil. When the Topi is under pressure can run up to or even more than 80km/h though they greatly do travel and they are noted to be among the fastest antelopes as viewed by game viewers on your safari in Uganda.
Primarily Topis are thrive in grassland habitat that range from open plain to impressive savannahs, they also thrive in habitats in between the grassland and woodlands and tend to stay on the edge and would keep under the tree shade during hot hours of the day time. Topi prefer to dwell in green pastures of medium length featuring leafy-like swards. They are mostly dwelling in areas where the plants would extend to the dry season and to the water points.
The Topi would drink more while feeding on dry grass they usually use vantage points like termite mounds to gain clear looks of the surrounding area. They also spend much of their time with other antelopes, such as wildebeest, and also with zebras and ostriches.
They only eat grass — their narrow muzzle being well-adapted for selecting the most tender growth. They graze for a while and then rest and chew their cud before continuing feeding. These antelopes can go without water for long periods of time only if they have access to green pastures. If green grazing is not available, the topi must drink daily.
Calving normally occurs once a year and is timed for periods when grass supplies are plentiful. Nonetheless, topis are almost as flexible in their reproduction as they are in social organizations. If food supplies are particularly good, then they will conceive at different times of the year, with shorter intervals between calves. Females have also developed the ability to stall the labor process if they sense immediate danger.
The main predators of Topis is include; Leopards, lions, spotted hyenas, hunting dogs, cheetahs and the calves of Topi are susceptible to servals, jackals, caracals and pythons plus large eagles.
Human populations are growing and expanding agriculture, roads, and settlements, leading to the loss of living space for these large antelopes and resulting in many complications. The topi’s ecological and dietary limitations make it more difficult for them to compete for resources. Hardier antelopes, like the wildebeest, fare better in less favorable conditions. Livestock is also out-competing topis on grazing ranges during the dry season.
Topis are exceptionally gregarious and live in herds of 15 to 20. In some places, it is possible to see herds of hundreds. They have a flexible social structure. Sedentary populations display the usual residence pattern- small herds led by a dominant male. During migratory periods, large numbers of animals congregate together indiscriminately. When the group stops, even if for just a few hours, males establish small, temporary territories in which they shepherd the females.
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.
Life span: 12-15 years, and will end with the animals teeth falling out if they are not depredated before this stage. Births occur during well-defined periods of time, which varies among populations but are generally between July and December.
