It’s not always easy to tell the difference between an antelope and a deer. They are both quadrupedal mammals with antlers and horns on their heads. They’re also well-known for being quick and skittish.
But how are they different from each other?
In this article, we’ll look at the key differences between antelope and deer, as well as how to spot them in the wild.
Let’s get started!
1. Antelope vs. Deer – Appearance.
One of the most obvious differences between these two is their headgear. Antelope actually have a set of permanent horns instead of antlers, which grow on both sexes. These horns come in a variety of shapes. They can be straight, curved, ridged, or twisty, but they never branch out. They are primarily used for defense, such as fighting off threats from predators during combat or rivals within their own herd.
Deer, on the other hand, have antlers that shed in the winter and regrow in the spring. These antlers grow only on males and are primarily used to impress the opposite sex as well as to demonstrate dominance over potential male counterparts during the mating season.
2. Antelope vs. Deer – Size.
Antelopes are larger than deer, weighing between 110 and 2,000 pounds and standing 3 to 9 feet tall. Deer, on the other hand, weigh between 22 and 900 pounds and stand 2 to 4 feet tall at the shoulder. Overall, the average deer is smaller than the average antelope.
3. Antelope vs. Deer – Speed.
Antelopes can outrun deer. Of course, it varies by species, but the fastest antelope outruns the fastest deer. An antelope’s top speed is 55 miles per hour, but the fastest deer will sprint to about 40 miles per hour. Surprisingly, it’s not just the antelope’s speed that’s impressive. They have incredible stamina, which allows them to outrun and outlast predators like cheetahs and lions.
4. Antelope vs. Deer – Locations.
Deer have a larger range than antelope. They live all over the world and can be found in some form on every continent except Antarctica. Antelope, on the other hand, have a relatively limited range that includes Africa and parts of Eurasia. They aren’t found in Europe or the Americas.
Although the pronghorn looks like an antelope, it is not one. Pronghorns are members of a separate family known as the Antilocapridae. As a result, the Americas have no true antelopes.
5. Antelope vs. Deer – Species.
There are more antelope species than deer species. In fact, there are approximately 91 species of antelope, many of which are found in Africa while there are about 43 species of deer, that come from different parts of the world.
GET IN TOUCH
To contact an expert travel planner to start planning your adventure in Kenya, click the button below:
