It’s not that easy to know the difference between an antelope and a deer. To begin with, they are both quadruped mammals carrying 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 easily identifiable differences between these two is simply their headgear. Antelope has a pair of permanent horns, not antlers, which grow in both sexes. These come in several shapes: straight, curved, ridged, and twisty-but never branched. They are mainly used for defense, such as fighting off threats from predators during combat or rivals within their herd.
Deer on the other hand have antlers that shed during winter and grow during spring. They are only present in males and are mainly used for attracting the opposite sex as well as establishing dominance over other potential males during mating season.
2. Antelope vs. Deer – Size.
Deers weigh between 22 pounds to 900 pounds at a height of 2 to 4 feet on the shoulder, antelopes on the other hand weigh around 110 to 2,000 pounds at a height of 3 to 9 feet. Thus, on average, an antelope is bigger than a deer in general.
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, while the fastest deer sprints 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 wider range than antelope. They can be found throughout much of the world and in some form on every continent except Antarctica. Antelope has a somewhat limited range that includes Africa and parts of Asia. They are not found in Europe or the Americas.
Although the pronghorn resembles an antelope, it is not an antelope. The pronghorns belong to a different family altogether called Antilocapridae. Therefore, the Americas do not have any true antelopes.
5. Antelope vs. Deer – Species.
There are more species of antelope than deer. There are about 91 species of antelope, most of which come from Africa, while there are about 43 species of deer that come from different parts of the world.
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