[5] Little sexual dimorphism is noted between males and females, showing no distinct identifiable physical features, but body size is slightly affected.

Their evasion tactic is to induce confusion by running in a zigzag pattern, making it difficult for predators to catch them.

After birth, calves are hidden in dense vegetation before joining a group to increase their chances of survival from predators, since they are weak.

During the rainy season in southern Africa, the grass species Andropogon is in abundance and is the main source of dietary consumption.

[11] The few carnivores preying on hartebeest in southern Africa include lions, spotted hyenas, leopards, and cheetahs.

Nile crocodiles may opportunistically prey upon hartebeest that drink from waters inhabited by the reptiles; though this is uncommon, it is not unheard of.

Hunting is always an issue to consider in rural areas, since little enforcement of animal protection laws is possible, or there can be no established regulations at all.

Southern Africa's dissected topography, geologic diversity, climate oscillations, and mosaic of distinct vegetation types has been the primary means for radiation and diversification amidst hartebeest species, which has led red hartebeests to vary slightly in their capacity to consume the diets they do.

[15] This youngest of all African bovid subfamilies dates back 5 million years ago, and has exhibited great diversification.

The genus Alcelaphus is suggested to have evolved and diversified due to climate variability over a range of habitats in the Pleistocene era.