The roan and sable antelope are African beasts with an upright mane marching from the base of the skull down the neck and covering the withers, a less pronounced neck mane, long ears, a tufted tail, and long, backwards curving ringed horns. Although they may bolt a short distance when alarmed, these antelope often do not run far, and stop to look back at whatever upset them. This habit has led to a drastic decrease in numbers with the advent of firearms (and the extinction of the blue antelope that once belonged in this group). When wounded or cornered, these animals fight with speed, agression, and determination, ramming or impaling their antagonists with their horns.
The genus Hippotragus forms small to medium sized herds of females with a single adult male. The male controls access to the herd of his females, though the herd is actually led by the highest ranking female. Immature males and males ousted from their herds by stronger bucks form small bachelor herds. Females frequently fight for dominance within their herd.