Lichtenstein's hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus lichtensteinii) is a subspecies of the hartebeest antelope. It is named in honor of the German zoologist Martin Lichtenstein.
Lichtenstein's hartebeest is red-brown in color with lighter underbelly. Both males and females have horns that appear from the side like the letter 'S', and from the front look like the letter 'O' with its upper portions missing. The horns are slightly ridged and reach over 0.5 m (1.6 ft) in length.
Lichtenstein's hartebeest are found in Southeastern and Central Africa. They live in woodland areas, savannahs, high grasslands, and open plains.
Lichtenstein's hartebeest are diurnal animals. They gather in herds of 5 to 15 females and calves and a single male, which leads them. Adult males hold large territories, which they mark by digging up soil with their horns around the borders and forming dung piles. Bachelor bulls do not establish territories. Lichtenstein's hartebeest have good eyesight but a poor sense of smell. Their main sounds are a bellow and a sneeze-snort sound.
Hartebeest are herbivores (graminivores) and graze mostly on various grasses.
Hartebeest are polygynous meaning that one male mates with many females during the breeding season. The rutting period (breeding season) of Lichtenstein's hartebeest runs typically from mid-October to January. During this time the males may fight fiercely for dominance. Bachelor bulls often challenge alpha bulls until the point of complete exhaustion to take over the related female. In general, female hartebeest give birth to a single calf after the gestation period of 8-9 months. Calves can move about on their own shortly after birth, however, they usually lie in the open near their mothers. Calves are usually weaned at 4 months of age, but young males stay with their mothers for 2.5 years. Both males and females become reproductively mature between 1 and 2 years of age.
Hartebeest were formerly widespread in Africa, but populations of this species have undergone a drastic decline due to habitat destruction, hunting, expansion of human settlements, and competition with livestock for food. They are also popular game animals due to their highly regarded meat.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of Lichtenstein's hartebeest is 58,000 mature individuals. Currently, this subspecies is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are stable.