Sitatunga
Tragelaphus spekii spekii
WILD STATUS
Least Concern.
DISTRIBUTION
Central and Western Africa.
SIZE
Weight 41-118 kg (90-260 lbs).
Height at shoulder 67-125 cm (2.2’-4.1’).
HABITAT
Swamp forests and papyrus marshes.
REPRODUCTION
After a 7 month gestation period, a single baby is born. The babies lie concealed on raised beds of reeds.
DIET
Leaves, buds, shoots, fruits, reeds and grasses.
INTERESTING TIDBITS
- Sitatunga are the most aquatic antelope.
- Their coat is shaggy and water resistant.
- Sitatungas’ hooves are long and extremely narrow with extended false hoofs and flexible toe joints. These are adaptations to life in a boggy environment and prevent Sitatungas from sinking into the mud.
- Sitatungas are excellent swimmers and when threatened, flee into deep water.
- Only the males have horns.
- They have been known to submerge themselves completely under water allowing only their nostrils above the waterline.
- These antelopes are both nocturnal and diurnal (active during the daylight hours) being more active at dawn and dusk.
- Males have a loud barking vocalization.
- The main predators are leopards, lions and pythons.
ANIMAL FACT SHEET
To download the information from this page and also get a full page photo of the Sitatunga click here for a PDF.
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