If two territorial males meet, the clash occurs. They are brave and strong, a wounded male continues to fight even on land. Herd sizes vary according to the season. Being herbivores, ruminants, they gather in the dry season near the few water points and disperse in the wet season when grass is abundant. They are found in open forest or around the savanna, where the grass is high enough. It avoids dense forest as far as the short grass of the savanna, because it resents drought. It is always in motion and especially grazes in the morning, before retiring to ruminate. It can also eat leaves of shrubs and bushes, especially during the dry season when grass is scarce and of poor quality. Despite this diet laden with moisture, it should drink daily.

It reaches sexual maturity at 2 years for females and 3 years for males. Females give birth to only one small after 270 days of gestation, it will be weaned at 8 months.

Predators are lions and humans, these antelopes can become very aggressive, especially the dominant male. They can be quick and run up to 56 km/h. Although it usually flees from danger.

In captivity, the longevity of the sable antelope is between 15 and 20 years, a specimen having reached 22 years. In the nature, average life expectancy is weaker, due to predators, disease, population.