Reaching speeds of 95 km/h, the Gerenuk is one of the fastest herbivore mammals. Found in savannas, scrublands habitats across Eastern Africa, Horn of Africa, it is classified as Near Threatened.
Physical Characteristics & Habitat
Size & Speed
| Metric | Gerenuk | Herbivore Mammals Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 40 kg | 117.3 kg | ↓ 66% |
| Height | 92.5 cm | — | — |
| Top Speed | 95 km/h | 40 km/h | ↑ 138% |
| Avg Speed | 55 km/h | — | — |
Habitat & Distribution
The Gerenuk inhabits savannas, scrublands habitats. It can be found in Eastern Africa, Horn of Africa.
Typical coloring: Brown, White.
Diet & Predators
Behavior & Reproduction
Social Structure
The Gerenuk is a solitary species belonging to the Bovidae family.
Reproduction
Conservation & Comparison
IUCN Conservation Status
NT The Gerenuk is classified as Near Threatened. There are 14 species with the same status in our database.
Species Comparison
Among 50 herbivore mammals, the Gerenuk’s weight of 28–52 kg is significantly lower than the group median of 117.3 kg.
Weight rank: #5 of 14 Near Threatened species.
| # | Species | Weight | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | White Rhinoceros | 1800–2500 kg | NT |
| 2 | Narwhal | Up to 1600 kg | NT |
| 3 | American Bison | 318–1000 kg | NT |
| 4 | Markhor | Up to 110 kg | NT |
| 5 | Gerenuk | 28–52 kg | NT |
Related Species
How much does a Gerenuk weigh?
A Gerenuk typically weighs 28–52 kg, which is well below average compared to the median of 117.3 kg among herbivore mammals.
What is the conservation status of the Gerenuk?
The Gerenuk is classified as “Near Threatened”. There are 14 species with the same status in our database.
Where does the Gerenuk live?
The Gerenuk is found in Eastern Africa, Horn of Africa, in savannas, scrublands habitats.
How does the Gerenuk reproduce?
The Gerenuk has a gestation period of 170–215 days and typically produces 1 offspring per birth.
Data Sources: IUCN, WWF, National Geographic, Smithsonian Institution.
Last Updated: April 10, 2026