Gaits and other aspects of locomotion in hippotragin bovids

Estes (1991), on page 116, states the following about postures and locomotion in tribe Hippotragini of family Bovidae:

"The oryxes and addax walk in an amble, as expected. Sables and roans are more variable, cross-walking when going slow and changing to an amble at a quicker walk. Oryxes nod their heads like topis when walking fast, especially the scimitar-horned oryx...The addax throws its wide-hoofed feet slightly sideways to avoid brushing against the opposite limb, but places one foot behind the other, leaving a single line of tracks. The trot is not a regular gait in this tribe but may appear as a transition between walk and gallop, and a style-trot is performed in situations of excitement or alarm. Oryxes have a particularly beautiful flowing trot with a suspension stage during which all feet are off the ground and the head is turned synchronously from side to side...Trotting scimitar-horned oryxes hold their chins raised with horns back...The gallop differs considerably among species. The sable and roan bound higher and flex their legs more than the rest, whereas the addax has a flat gallop with minimal flexing, appearing stiff-kneed. It and the Arabian oryx are considered to be the slowest and clumsiest runners in the tribe, perhaps reflecting their adaptations to sandy substrates. Both have great endurance when traveling on sand...Oryx gazella is probably the fastest and most enduring horse antelope, though less fleet than gazelles or topis. When running at full gallop, the chin is held out so that the horns lie back in line with the neck."

The purpose of this Post is to illustrate as many of these points as possible.

WALKING

There are many photos on the Web of hippotragins walking. This is particularly true for Hippotragus.

So far, I have found no evidence of any walking gait other than an amble.

In the following photos, the amble is diagnosed by the facts that either

• the fore hoof lifts before the hind hoof on the same side has landed, or
• the hind hoof lifts only after the opposite fore hoof has landed.

The action is clearly shown in https://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/item/132191888-majestic-sable-antelope-male-walks-wildwildlife-slow-motion.

Oryx dammah

https://www.123rf.com/photo_123269528_side-view-close-up-of-a-scimitar-oryx-on-top-of-a-mountain.html

https://www.alamy.com/scimitar-horned-oryx-an-endangered-species-walking-through-the-negev-desert-on-yotvata-hai-bar-nature-reserve-breeding-center-oryx-dammah-israel-image342292910.html

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/75/Scimitar_Oryx_Nov09_Werribee.jpg

https://www.alamy.com/scimitar-horned-oryx-oryx-dammah-image348482464.html

https://www.buckvalley.com/hunting-for-scimitar-horned-oryx.html

https://zooinstitutes.com/animals/scimitar-horned-oryx-zoologicka-zahrada-dvur-kralove-8006.html

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-scimitar-horned-oryx-oryx-dammah-woburn-safari-park-117908871.html

Oryx leucoryx

https://stock.adobe.com/images/arabische-oryx/739224523?prev_url=detail

https://stock.adobe.com/images/a-majestic-arabian-oryx-traversing-the-vast-expanse-of-the-desert-wildlife-observation-in-the-middle-east-and-arabian-peninsula-with-copy-space-for-text/510927060?prev_url=detail

https://zooinstitutes.com/animals/arabian-oryx-negev-zoo-112014.html

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/wild-african-animals-in-natural-setting-gm1132569623-300302899?phrase=addax+antelope

https://depositphotos.com/photo/oryx-5451367.html

https://depositphotos.com/photo/oryx-16635087.html

https://depositphotos.com/photo/oryx-18814501.html

https://depositphotos.com/photo/oryx-6845558.html

https://stock.adobe.com/images/oryx/1055064?prev_url=detail

https://stock.adobe.com/images/arabian-oryx-in-the-red-sands-desert-conservation-area-of-dubai-united-arab-emirates/474499127?prev_url=detail

https://stock.adobe.com/images/portrait-of-one-arabian-oryx-walking-in-the-desert-of-the-middle-east-arabian-wildlife-observation-and-biodiversity/510927004?prev_url=detail

https://stock.adobe.com/images/white-oryx-walking-in-arabian-desert-of-dubai/147643614?prev_url=detail

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/108925858

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/126459790

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59677278

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/1218405

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/177965278

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/151272992

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/149569899

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/126459796

Hippotragus niger:

https://m.facebook.com/giraffewalks/photos/906091940295842/

https://www.dreamstime.com/close-side-view-potrait-sable-antelope-hippotragus-niger-savanna-natural-image139165574

https://nexgenvetrx.com/blog/nondomesticsexotics/immobilizationsedation/sable-antelope-vomiting-during-capture-and-chemical-immobilization/

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/153914784

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75355905

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/68297460

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/34416354

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/7026088

video https://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/item/132191888-majestic-sable-antelope-male-walks-wildwildlife-slow-motion

https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/herd-of-sable-antilope-royalty-free-image/548224845?phrase=sable+antelope&adppopup=true

https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/side-view-of-deer-standing-on-field-royalty-free-image/1587662682?phrase=sable+antelope&adppopup=true

https://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-283695397/stock-photo-sable-antelope-%28hippotragus-niger%29%2C-walking-in-botswana

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-sable-antelope-adult-male-tswalu-game-reserve-kalahari-northern-cape-97990917.html

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-sable-antelope-adult-male-tswalu-game-reserve-kalahari-northern-cape-97990914.html

https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/sable-antelope-walks-across-clearing-watching-royalty-free-image/1447741621?phrase=sable+antelope&adppopup=true

https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/sable-antelope-walks-across-clearing-lowering-head-royalty-free-image/1447741635?phrase=sable+antelope&adppopup=true

https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/sable-antelope-south-africa-royalty-free-image/541054478?phrase=sable+antelope&adppopup=true

https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/sable-antelope-okapuka-ranch-namibia-africa-royalty-free-image/130887303?phrase=sable+antelope&adppopup=true

https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/sable-antelope-adult-male-tswalu-game-reserve-royalty-free-image/989185750?phrase=sable+antelope&adppopup=true

https://www.123rf.com/photo_117724183_close-side-view-potrait-natural-sable-antelope-hippotragus-niger-in-savanna.html

Hippotragus equinus:

https://www.natureinstock.com/search/preview/roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-male-crossing-the-path-boucle-de-la/0_00073408.html

https://www.naturefootage.com/video-clips/PCO190208_0619/roan-antelope-walking-exits

https://www.naturefootage.com/video-clips/PCO190208_0612/roan-antelope-young-male-walking-exits

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/110614701

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/roan-antelope-on-white-background-gm1149613559-310898117?phrase=roan+antelope

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/alert-roan-antelope-bull-in-mudumu-national-park-gm486522272-72611977?phrase=roan+antelope

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/lone-male-roan-antelope-crossing-the-road-in-dry-bush-in-kruger-national-park-in-gm1298730638-391544157?phrase=roan+antelopehttps://www.reserveafricainesigean.fr/en/animals/roan-antelope/

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/144361858

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6441967

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/1242319

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6441919

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/180405972

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6183437

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/roan-antelope-savanna-habitat-1744621331

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5578805

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-savanna-found-1391679617

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/186394723

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5578610

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-savanna-found-1391679614

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/109859169

https://www.dreamstime.com/roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-portrait-close-up-roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-savanna-antelope-found-west-central-east-image146949392

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-male-roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-84710396.html?imageid=00EDACEC-7A54-4CC6-B466-B0D3248A0C46&p=172933&pn=1&searchId=d3350f0b953b17636829cec591564ee8&searchtype=0

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5221643

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/109860938

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5095524

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/11028813

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-savanna-found-1391679626

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5095492

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/roan-antelope-gm1372038132-441249902?phrase=roan+antelope

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/4971288

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/roan-antelope-crosses-rocky-ground-in-sunshine-gm1720535143-540731485?phrase=roan+antelope

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/4922939

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/roan-antelope-crosses-grass-plain-casting-shadow-gm1708087094-539440376?phrase=roan+antelope

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103681178

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/roan-antelope-gm1372038132-441249902?phrase=roan+antelope

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-roan-antelope-at-chester-zoo-57024375.html?imageid=AB922A08-501D-4407-8FEE-DDD54E39D763&p=178539&pn=2&searchId=fc2396d582be6b3410181e7023641baa&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-african-roan-antelope-calf-hippotragus-equinus-149312858.html?imageid=57CDD1D5-3D8E-452D-8517-2C928B682A7A&p=172933&pn=4&searchId=f4904b3f875d4b7dbcba6638b9b119cf&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/portrait-of-a-male-roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinussouth-africa-image181670061.html?imageid=01CB9503-1A36-44D0-99D4-483409327C9C&p=738474&pn=4&searchId=f4904b3f875d4b7dbcba6638b9b119cf&searchtype=0

Addax nasomaculatus:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WcG532I4is

scroll in https://binderparkzoo.org/animal/addax/

https://vivanicemk.live/product_details/78336358.html

https://fossilrimblog.wordpress.com/2015/01/06/age-matters/

https://www.123rf.com/photo_110255623_addax-walking-in-jebil-national-park-in-tunisia.html

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/screwhorn-antelope-reserve-haibar-yotvata-southern-2111200406

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/addax-walking-jebil-national-park-tunisia-1181753344

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/addax-nasomaculatus-known-white-antelope-screwhorn-1389534293

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/portrait-addax-nasomaculatus-known-white-antelope-1646600455

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/antelope-addax-pen-zoo-2334248611

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/two-critically-endangered-young-addax-nasomaculatus-401522047

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/scimitar-horned-addax-nasomaculatus-144751531

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/an-antelope-addax-gm1555694218-526772994?phrase=addax+antelope

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/antelope-addax-in-the-field-gm1341639965-421311632?phrase=addax+antelope

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/addax-or-mendes-antelope-animals-from-africa-gm177534139-21523124?phrase=addax+antelope

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/screwhorn-antelope-gm160142579-17826274?phrase=addax+antelope

https://nhpbs.org/wild/bovidae7.asp

https://creatures-of-the-world.fandom.com/wiki/Addax

Oryx callotis

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/18775851

Oryx beisa

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/39632550

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/36824792

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/28853647

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/31507

TROTTING

Hippotragus

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=Roan+antelope+trotting&sca_esv=570803870&sxsrf=AM9HkKn6U0-qeJrwzN_OTL1-IoeuOx2IxA%3A1696458581482&source=hp&ei=VecdZZ-uG-Tk2roPss2fwAE&iflsig=AO6bgOgAAAAAZR31ZXy8Zotkb4C9JZmt65GBy-mwA4ns&ved=0ahUKEwjfrP7YuN2BAxVkslYBHbLmBxgQ4dUDCA0&uact=5&oq=Roan+antelope+trotting&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IhZSb2FuIGFudGVsb3BlIHRyb3R0aW5nMgUQIRigATIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKABSM5LUPcIWPM_cAF4AJABAJgBqQKgAeQnqgEGMC4yLjIwuAEDyAEA-AEBqAIKwgIHECMY6gIYJ8ICBxAjGIoFGCfCAgQQIxgnwgIHEC4YigUYJ8ICDhAAGIoFGLEDGIMBGJECwgIIEAAYigUYkQLCAgsQABiABBixAxiDAcICCxAuGIAEGLEDGIMBwgILEC4YgAQYxwEY0QPCAhEQLhiDARjHARixAxjRAxiABMICDhAuGIoFGMcBGNEDGJECwgILEC4YigUYsQMYgwHCAgsQABiKBRixAxiDAcICCBAAGIAEGJIDwgIIEAAYigUYkgPCAhEQABiKBRixAxiDARjJAxiRAsICCxAuGIAEGMcBGK8BwgIFEAAYgATCAggQLhiABBixA8ICCxAAGIoFGLEDGJECwgILEC4YgwEYsQMYgATCAgUQLhiABMICChAuGIAEGLEDGArCAgcQABiABBgKwgIGEAAYFhgewgIIEAAYFhgeGA_CAggQABiKBRiGAw&sclient=gws-wiz#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:93ce74b1,vid:ygD_Of-zeS4,st:

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/sable-antelope-bull-trotting-on-sand-495410068

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/25107302

Oryx

https://www.123rf.com/photo_199340761_south-african-oryx-running-side-view-in-dry-land-in-kgalagadi-transfrontier-park-south-africa.html

https://www.barhbarhunting.com/scimitar-horned-oryx-antelope

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/135570419

Oryx leucoryx

https://www.instagram.com/anoopmanikkothphotography/p/CveYdhrPcrQ/

scroll in https://www.arabnews.com/node/1963486/saudi-arabia

GALLOPING/CANTERING

Addax

https://www.dreamstime.com/addax-nasomaculatus-male-running-image171232417

https://www.juzaphoto.com/galleria.php?t=507916&l=en

DISCUSSION

I have yet to find any footage showing the particular actions mentioned by Estes w.r.t. trotting in Oryx.

I am surprised at the sheer number of photos on the Web that happen to show exactly the right moment, in the stride-cycle, for a diagnosis of the amble. This is extreme in the case of H. equinus (29 photos, above).

I suspect that this is not merely coincidence, but rather a consequence - in part - of selection by photographers of the most 'symmetrical' among a sequence of photos all taken within a few seconds.

Posted on October 4, 2023 10:57 AM by milewski