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Sitatunga
Tragelaphus spekii spekii

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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.
HABITAT RANGE
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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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