gerenuk

[ ger-uh-nook, guh-ren-uhk ]

noun

1. a reddish-brown antelope, Litocranius walleri, of eastern Africa, having a long, slender neck.

gerenuk

/ ˈɡɛrɪˌnʊk /

noun

1. a slender E African antelope, Litocranius walleri, with a long thin neck and backward-curving horns

Word History and Origins

Origin of gerenuk¹

First recorded in 1890–95, gerenuk is from the Somali word gáránúug

Word History and Origins

Origin of gerenuk¹

from Somali garanug

Example Sentences

Poaching of Grevy’s zebras, reticulated giraffes, gerenuk antelope, and other threatened and endangered species has since dropped in the area.

From Scientific American

On the short Land Rover drive down from Saruni Samburu’s crested perch, you’ll pass cute little dik-dik antelope scurrying in the bush, and gerenuk gazelles standing upright to feed on bushes.

From Forbes

But then you come across the ridiculous gerenuk, and you begin to think…WTF, evolution?

From Time

By the way, the gerenuk skull isn't exactly 'typical' either, but that's a story for another time.

From Scientific American

The long neck and limbs, coupled with peculiarities in the structure of the skull, entitle the gerenuk, which is a large species, to represent a genus.

From Project Gutenberg