The Quadruped That Prefers Standing on Two Legs

With over 70 different antelope species living in Africa, it’s no surprise that each has its own special quirks. The giant eland tips the scales at 2,000 pounds, while the color bongo sports a brilliantly patterned coat. Then there are the extra small ones, like the royal antelope and dik-dik, each the size of a house cat. But for a truly one-of-a-kind creature, we need to look at the gerenuk. As you can see in this video, the gerenuk defies gravity like a graceful ballerina, standing proud and tall on just two legs!

What Is a Gerenuk – A Giraffe or an Antelope?

Gerenuks (Litocranius walleri) look and act like giraffes with their elongated necks, but they are actually a type of antelope. But interestingly enough, their name comes from a Somalian word meaning “giraffe-necked”. Gerenuks look a bit like something from a Dr. Seuss book — tiny heads, enormous ears, and big beautiful eyes. They stand 4.5 to 5 feet tall and weigh 62 to 128 pounds.

Where Do Gerenuks Live?

The gerenuk is a truly phenomenal animal, one you may have never heard of or seen before. They live in small groups scattered across East African countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Djibouti, Somalia, and Ethiopia. These adaptable animals are found in habitats with thornbushes, thickets, and other woody vegetation. Unfortunately, they are classified as a near-threatened species, with only 10% of their populations living in protected areas.

The Strategic Advantage of Standing Upright

The gerenuk’s striking appearance isn’t the only thing that makes it stand out — these fascinating creatures can also stand on just two legs! This unique adaptation allows them access to vegetation high up in the trees, reaching leaves 6 to 8 feet above the ground. With their incredible balance, gerenuk’s use their long front legs to pull down tall branches so they can munch on the yummiest parts of the plants. Other antelopes and gazelles can’t reach these leaves, which means there’s usually plenty to go around for the gerenuks.

Gerenuks eat at least 80 different plant species, although their favorites are water-filled, succulent plants. These succulents provide plenty of hydration, so the gerenuks don’t ever have to drink water, even in the desert. Their large eyes are protected by long eyelashes, and sensory facial hairs help them navigate prickly plants to reach the most succulent parts. They also eat flowers, buds, fruits, leaves, vines, and tender shoots.

How Gerenuk’s Defy Gravity

Gerenuks are quadrupedal like other antelopes, but they also evolved special adaptations that allow them to stand on two legs when feeding. Unlike humans, however, their spines haven’t changed much, other than a slight modification in the lower vertebrae and extra strong back legs. Most of their adaptations are found instead in their muscles. Several neck muscles have shifted positions, and those connecting to the vertebrae are elongated and more specialized. Gerenuks also have two extra neck muscles, the levator claviculae and iliocostalis cervicis. They also have stronger neck ligaments that stabilize the connection between the animal’s first two neck bones to prevent injury when reaching for higher vegetation. Essentially, while their legs and lower back are similar to other antelopes, their necks have changed to support their specialized feeding posture, allowing gerenuks to stand on their back legs with the strength and grace of a prima ballerina.