A genus of African antelopes, including hartebeests and related species, characterized by long faces and forward-curved horns.
From Greek 'alcē' (strength) and 'laphos' (wild animal), combining to reference the strength and wildness of these antelopes. The Latinized genus name reflects 18th-century scientific naming conventions.
Hartebeests (genus Alcelaphus) have the longest, weirdest antelope faces—almost comical-looking to humans—but that shape is perfectly designed for grazing on short African grasses. Nature optimized them for survival, not beauty!
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