Outstanding illustration of adaptive self-advertisement in red hartebeest (Alcelaphus caama), when fleeing from predators

@tonyrebelo @matthewinabinett @paradoxornithidae @capracornelius @beartracker @felix_riegel @muir

Please see https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/71135-structure-and-function-of-the-tail-show-that-the-red-hartebeest-alcelaphus-caama-is-a-different-species-from-coke-s-hartebeest-alcelaphus-cokii#.

I seldom write a Post based on just one photo.

However, this photo is so excellent, in revealing the true nature of Alcelaphus caama, that I am indeed Posting it here, in its own right.

(The location, mislabelled, is actually Mountain Zebra National Park.)

This illustrates the full conspicuousness of the bleeze on the hindquarters, accentuated by

• sheen on the anterior side, and
• activation of the black caudal flag on the posterior side.

https://www.agefotostock.com/age/en/details-photo/red-hartebeest-running-kruger-national-park-mpumalanga-south-africa/AAI-1-PHGN-0006

I have reviewed thousands of photos of A. caama, and this one is outstanding among them all.

Also please see the first comment, below.

ADDENDUM:

I have just found this footage of stotting (with the caudal flag activated) in A. caama:
https://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/item/44721343-antelope-hartebeest-running-slow-motion

Please note that an individual in the background begins to stot, as well.

Posted on October 13, 2022 11:08 AM by milewski