Topi Antelope in Kenya Description
The topi antelope is not unlike the hartebeest in appearance, but is a dark almost purplish color and has black patches on the rear thighs, front legs and face. Its horns, which are found on both sexes, also differ in shape from the hartebeest in curving gently up, out and back. Although fairly widely distributed in East Africa, in Kenya it is only found in Masai Mara where it exists in large numbers.
A highly gregarious antelope that lives in herds numbering from 15 up to several hundred individuals, topi congregate at certain times of the year in gatherings of up to 10,000 in preparation for a migration to fresh pastures. They are often found mingling with wildebeest, hartebeest, and zebra.
In the mating season, bulls select a well-defined patch of ground which is defended against rivals and this is where mating takes place. At this time females are free to wander from one patch to another. After mating, the herds split into single-sex parties.
Topi are exclusively grazers and prefer flood plains that support lush pasture though they are capable of thriving on dry grasses which other antelopes will not eat. When water is available they drink frequently but they are also capable of surviving long periods without water so long as there is sufficient grass available. Their main predator is the lion.