Examples of animals like antelope include African buffalo, alpaca, bison, camel, and deer.
Animals in the family Bovidae are commonly referred to as bovids, and many of them resemble antelope.
Some of the most popular examples include buffalo, cattle, goats, and sheep.
All of these animals share a number of physical characteristics with antelope, including horns, hooves, and a generally similar body shape.
Bovids are typically much larger than antelope, and they have a thicker coat of fur.
In addition, bovids typically live in herds, while antelope are more often found alone or in small groups.
Despite these differences, the similarities between bovids and antelope make it clear that they are closely related.
Let us take a look at some of the most common animals that resemble antelope.
Examples of Animals Like Antelope
Examples of Animals Like Antelope
The African buffalo is a large bovid that is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
It is one of the most popular game animals in the region, and it is also one of the most dangerous.
African buffalo can grow to be nearly six feet tall at the shoulder and weigh over a thousand pounds.
They have thick, dark fur, and their horns are heavy and curved.
Scientific NameVicugna pacosType of AnimalMammalRangemarshy mountainous areas from southern Colombia and Ecuador south to northern Chile and northern Argentina
The alpaca is a domesticated member of the camelid family, which also includes llamas, camels, and vicunas.
Alpacas are native to the Andes Mountains of South America, and they were first domesticated by the Inca people of Peru.
Alpacas are similar to antelope in several ways.
They both have four legs and hooves, and they are both covered in fur.
In addition, alpacas are usually very shy around humans, just like antelope.
For example, alpacas are much smaller than antelope, and they do not have horns.
Bison are large, hoofed mammals that live in North America.
They have a shaggy coat of brown fur and two horns that curve upward from their head.
Bison can weigh up to a ton, making them one of the largest land animals in North America.
Scientific NameCamelusType of AnimalMammalRangeBactrian camels are native to the Gobi Desert in China and the Bactrian steppes of Mongolia
Camel is a large, even-toed ungulate with long legs, a big-bellied body, and a distinctive hump.
Camels are native to the dry desert regions of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
Scientific NameBos taurusType of AnimalMammalRangeIndia and tropical areas of Asia, America, and Australia
Cattle are a prime example of animals that resemble antelope.
They share many of the same physical characteristics, including horns, hooves, and a similar body shape.
In addition, cattle are often found in herds, just like bovids.
However, there are some important differences between cattle and antelope.
For one thing, cattle are much larger than antelope.
In addition, they have a thicker coat of fur, which helps to protect them from the cold.
Finally, while antelope typically live in Africa, cattle can be found all over the world.
Scientific NameCervidaeType of AnimalMammalRangewetlands, deciduous forests, grasslands, rain forests, arid scrublands, and mountains
Deer are a type of mammal that is found in many parts of the world.
They come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, but they all share some common physical characteristics.
These include hooves, antlers (in males), and a generally slender body shape.
Deer are social animals and typically live in herds.
There are many different types of deer, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, red deer, and elk.
Some deer, such as the white-tailed deer, are relatively small, while others, like the elk, can be quite large.
The largest type of deer is the moose, which can weigh over 1,000 pounds!
While deer are not typically considered to be true antelope, they are closely related.
In fact, deer and antelope are so similar that they are often classified in the same family, Cervidae.
This family also includes reindeer, caribou, and moose.
Scientific NameGazellaType of AnimalMammalRangethe arid lands of Asia from China to the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa from the Saharan deserts to the sub-Saharan Sahel, and northeast Africa from the Horn of Africa to Tanzania
Gazelles are one of the most popular examples of animals that resemble antelope.
They are found in Africa, Asia, and Europe, and they come in a variety of different colors.
Gazelles have slim bodies and long legs, which helps them to run fast.
Related Article: 43 Animals Like Gazelles
Scientific NameGiraffaType of AnimalMammalRangefragmented habitats scattered throughout sub-Saharan Africa
The giraffe is the world’s tallest mammal, and it shares a number of physical characteristics with the antelope.
Both animals have long necks, hooves, and horns.
In addition, both animals are herbivores that live in Africa.
However, there are some important differences between these two animals.
However, there are some important differences between these two animals.
Giraffes are much larger than antelope, and they have a spotted coat instead of a solid one.
Scientific NameCapra aegagrus hircusType of AnimalMammalRangemountainous and highly elevated areas around Europe, Asia, and small parts of northeastern Africa
Goats are perhaps the most popular examples of animals that resemble antelope.
Like antelope, goats have horns and hooves, and they are built for climbing.
Goats are also known for their stubbornness, which is another trait they share with antelope.
Scientific NameLama glamaType of AnimalMammalRangethe Andes Mountains of South America, primarily Peru and Bolivia
The llama is a domesticated animal that is found in South America.
It is closely related to the alpaca, and both animals are often used for their wool.
Llamas typically have brown or grey fur, and they can grow to be up to six feet tall.
Like antelope, llamas have hooves and horns, but their horns are much smaller.
Muskoxen are large, horned animals that live in the Arctic tundra.
They are closely related to bison and have many similarities to antelope, including their size, horns, and fur.
However, muskoxen are more stocky than antelope and have a larger head.
The pronghorn is a North American mammal that closely resembles an antelope.
It is the only member of the family Antilocapridae, which means that it is not closely related to any other living animals.
The pronghorn is the fastest land animal in North America, and it can run at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour.
Scientific NameOvis ariesType of AnimalMammalRangeThe Middle East, Asia, Central Europe, and North America
Sheep are one of the most popular animals in the world, and they are also one of the most similar to antelope.
Sheep have horns, hooves, and a generally similar body shape.
In addition, sheep are often found in herds, just like bovids.
The takin is a large, furry mammal that resembles an antelope.
It is native to Central Asia, and it is the national animal of Bhutan.
Takin is a very large animal, weighing up to 660 pounds.
They have thick fur that helps keep them warm in their cold mountainous habitat.
Scientific NameBubalus bubalisType of AnimalMammalRangeThe Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and China
The water buffalo is a large bovid that is found in Asia and Africa.
It is the largest member of the family Bovidae, and it can weigh up to 2,200 pounds.
The water buffalo is an important domestic animal in many parts of the world, and it is also used for its meat and hide.
Antelopes come in all shapes and sizes, but many animals share similar features.
Some of these animals are so close to antelopes in appearance that they are often mistaken for the real thing.
Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal.
The term antelope does not denote a specific animal.
It encompasses numerous browsing, even-toed ruminants (everyone that’s not sheep, cattle, and goat) belonging to the Bovidae family.
The mammals are found in Africa and Eurasia, with gazelles and dik-diks some notable animals under the term antelope.
Interestingly, you can find other animals similar to antelopes in the wild and at home.
But these animals share several characteristics with antelopes that make them similar.
Some of the animals similar to Antelope include Deer, Goats, Sheep, Muskoxen, Bison, Cattle, Giraffe, Cape Buffalo, Camel, Alpaca, Llamas, Takin, Water Buffalo, Okapi and Pronghorn.
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To learn more about these antelope-resembling animals, let’s read on.
Examples of Animals Similar to Antelope
Deer are hoofed ruminants you can easily recognize thanks to their two tiny and two large hooves on all feet.
All 43 deer species are native to most parts of the world, except Antarctica and Australia.
To the untrained eye, you can easily confuse deer with antelopes just because of their appearance.
Both have smooth fur, and some species of antelopes are almost the size of deer.
They’re all herd animals and famous for being speedy and skittish as defense mechanisms.
You can also mistake a deer’s antler for antelope horns.
What’s more, to make both animals similar, they share the same scientific order; Artiodactyla.
Goats are popular domesticated mammals found all over the world.
There are also wild goats, ancestors of domestic goats, that inhabit shrublands and rocky areas of Asia.
Of all animals similar to antelopes, goats are the most popular.
The two animals from the family Bovidae share many features, from smooth fur to horns to hooves.
They are also browsers, although, unlike antelopes, goats feed in herds.
Looks aside, goats and antelopes demonstrate similar traits, like curiosity, and stubbornness.
The notable difference between the two animals is antelopes are way too fast and are larger than goats.
Like goats, sheep are popular domesticated mammals.
Some species, such as Bighorn sheep, are also found in the wild in most parts of the world, including North America, Central Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Sheep and antelopes belong to the same family Bovidae, and all are members of the order Artiodactyla.
Hence they show similarities, including even-toed hooves, horns, and somewhat identical body shapes.
They also have fine fur, although dense in sheep.
What’s more, like antelopes, sheep demonstrate herd behavior and are all herbivores.
Muskoxen is a long-haired mammal from the Bovidae family.
Although muskoxen and antelopes differ in some ways, including fur texture and living habitats, the two animals show a couple of similarities, which is not surprising as both belong to the same family and class.
They all have long, curved horns, are even-toed, and possess short tails.
They also prefer grazing in herds, feeding on grass and sometimes shrubs.
Bison are large, ox-like grazing mammals native to Northern America and Europe.
Coming from the family Bovidae, you can expect bison to share some traits with antelopes.
Also, bison are agile and fast and prefer going in groups or bands like their counterparts.
The animals, however, differ in some respects.
Unlike antelopes, bison have a hump on the shoulders, and their fur is coarse and shaggy.
Cattle are large, hooved mammals domesticated for their milk, meat, and hides.
Like goats, cattle are popular examples of animals that resemble antelopes.
They all have similar body shapes, with horns and hooves.
Cattle are herbivores that chew cud mostly at night, like antelopes, and prefer grazing in herds.
But although they share some physical characteristics, you can tell the difference between cattle and antelope, as the former is larger and adorns a thick coat.
The other significant difference is cattle are cloven-hoofed while antelopes are even-toed.
Giraffes are long-necked, hoofed mammals that you are guaranteed to come across when you visit Africa’s game reserves, such as Amboseli National Park in Kenya and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
They are the largest of all terrestrial animals and also the world’s tallest ruminants.
Giraffes and antelopes belong to the same family and order.
That’s why, besides both living in Africa, they share several physical characteristics, including a tufted tail and even-toed hooves.
Also, both animals are herbivores that chew cud at night and are always in herds of about 20 individuals.
The main difference is giraffes are way much taller than antelopes and lack horns, although they have horn-like growths called Ossicones.
Giraffes also adorn spotted coats, unlike antelopes with solid fur.
One of the world’s most dangerous animals, the cape Buffalo, also called the African Buffalo, is a large, robust mammal that inhabits several regions of Africa.
African Buffaloes and antelopes come from the same family, so you can rightly expect them to share some similarities.
Both animals have hollow horns and are even-toed.
African Buffaloes also live in Africa, like many species of antelopes.
They’re also herbivores that like grazing in herds.
But however similar they are, you can easily recognize cape Buffaloes thanks to their aggressive behaviors and shield-like horns that are strong compared to those of antelopes.
Native to dry parts of the world in Africa, Asia, and the East, camels are large hoofed mammals domesticated for their meat, milk, and wool.
Although these ships of the desert come from different families with antelopes, both animals share the same order.
They may not have many physical characteristics, except even-toed hooves, but the animals are similar in other respects.
Also, Both animals are social, and you’ll always find them in herds.
However, it’s easy to distinguish camels from antelopes as the former are taller, heavier, and have humps.
Camels are also slower than fast-paced antelopes.
Alpacas are domesticated mammals you can only find in marshy, mountainous regions of Southern America.
They belong to the same family as camels.
Alpacas share many more physical characteristics with antelopes than many animals on our list.
They belong to the order Artiodactyla, are even-toed, and have slender bodies covered with fine fur.
What’s more, the animals are herbivores and prefer grazing and browsing in herds.
Also, like antelopes, alpacas are friendly and social, although sometimes they can be aggressive.
However, to differentiate alpacas from antelopes, they lack horns, are slower, and are smaller.
They’re also from a different family.
Llamas are mammals found in South America, domesticated for their meat, while in Andean culture, they also serve as pack animals.
They’re closely related to alpacas as they come from the same family.
Llamas belong to the same order as antelopes and thus share several physical characteristics.
They all have slender bodies supported by even-toed hooves, small heads, and pointed ears.
They’re both herbivores that you’ll always find in herds.
However, you can distinguish Llamas from antelopes as they lack horns and are not as fast as their counterparts.
Takin is a large, heavily built mammal that lives in the Himalayas, preferring the forested valleys.
The animal belongs to the family Bovidae and the order Artiodactyla.
It’s Bhutan’s national animal.
Takin is similar to the antelope in many ways, apart from sharing the same family and order.
Both animals are even-toed and have hollow horns, and are herbivores.
Behavioral similarities in the animals include standing on their hind legs when feeding on leaves of higher trees and living in social groups of about 20 individuals.
To distinguish themselves from antelopes, Takins have relatively large heads, and their bodies are covered with a shaggy coat.
Takins are also slower and aggressive, unlike antelopes.
Not to be confused with African Buffalo, the water Buffalo is a large mammal native to Asia, although it has been introduced in other parts of the world, including Africa and America.
Many species of water Buffaloes are domestic animals, although some wild species exist.
Water Buffaloes are similar to antelopes in that they share the same family and order.
Not only family and order, but both animals also have hollow horns and short tails.
They’re also herbivores and move in herds with water Buffaloes living in about 30 individuals.
The prime difference is water Buffaloes are slower and dwell in waters, unlike antelopes.
Also called the Congolese giraffe, the okapi is a hoofed mammal you can only find in DRC.
It is closely related to the giraffe because it comes from the family Giraffidae.
Okapi, however, shares the same order as antelopes, meaning both animals have some similarities.
They’re all shy, even-toed, and have upright ears.
They’re also herbivores and chew cud when resting.
The main difference is okapi are solitary animals, unlike antelopes.
The pronghorn is a hoofed mammal native to Northern America and is the only living member of Antilocapridae.
The animal resembles antelopes in appearance to deservedly earn its ‘American antelope’ nickname.
Like antelopes, pronghorns are even-toed, have horns – which they shed annually – and are herbivores that live in large herds, especially in winter.
They’re also among the fastest land animals in the world.