sitatunga

The sitatunga is an antelope native to central Africa. They can be found in tall, dense perennial vegetation as well as seasonal swamps, marshy forest clearings, riparian thickets , and mangrove swamps. With an estimated population of up to 120,000 wild individuals, these critters are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, but their numbers are decreasing. Their primary foes are agricultural competition , habitat loss, and hunting/trapping.

First the Stats… Scientific name: Tragelaphus spekii Weight: Up to 275 lbs. Length: Up to 5 feet Height: Up to 49 inches Lifespan: Up to 23 years

Now on to the Facts! 1.) These critters are crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).

2.) While not terribly territorial, male sitatungas will engage in horn locking during the rut.

3.) They are typically solitary, but will form pairs and even small groups.

4.) Communication consists of touching noses, which can be followed by licking each other and even nibbling.

5.) Vocal communication can contain coughs or barks. These are loud enough to be heard from across the swamp.

But wait, there’s more on the sitatunga! 6.) Males let out a low bellow when they come across a herd of females.

7.) These herbivores (eat plant matter) graze on aquatic grasses, young foliage, sedges, flowers, buds, and seeds.

Did you know…? They have been documented wading in deep water with only their nose and eyes above the water, to avoid predators and flies.

8.) These antelopes are polygynous (1 male mates with a harem of females).

9.) Females undergo up to an 8 month gestation (pregnancy) that yields a single calf.

10.) Due to their pointed toes, these creatures can walk through water almost silently.

But wait, there’s still more on the sitatunga! 11.) Sitatungas are strong swimmers.

12.) They build resting areas by trampling down reeds and making a bed.

Now a Short Sitatunga Video!

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Learn more about all kinds of cool critters, right here ! toolTips('.classtoolTips2','

Competition is most typically considered to be the interaction of species that strive to acquire a common resource that is in limited supply, but more commonly can be termed as the direct or indirect interaction of organisms that leads to a change in health when the organisms share the same resource. Typically neither organism benefits.

Some examples are: lions and cheetahs , squirrels and woodpeckers , or an antelope and a gazelle .'); toolTips('.classtoolTips3','

These animals are active during dawn and dusk, or twilight. Animals that are crepuscular are typically so due to the fact that many predators are not active during those times of the day. But as in the case of being diurnal or nocturnal , sometimes the organism is crepuscular in an effort to obtain food that might be present at these times. Mule deer , desert cottontails , coyotes , porcupines , and black-tailed jackrabbits , to name a few, fit into this category.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips14','

Gestation is the process of carrying or being carried in the womb between conception and birth. In other words, pregnancy.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips16','

Predation is the ecological process by which an animal (or an organism) kills and feeds on another. The animal that kills to feed is called a predator . The 1 that is killed to be eaten is called prey.

Some examples or predators are: raptors , wolves , snakes , cats , and sharks .'); toolTips('.classtoolTips24','

Animals that eat mostly or exclusively grass, shrubs, seeds, and nuts are called herbivores. This category can also be broken down into subgroups too.

Critters that fall into this category are: cows , elk , buffalo , sheep , goats , and many rodents , to name a few.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips24','

Animals that eat mostly or exclusively grass, shrubs, seeds, and nuts are called herbivores. This category can also be broken down into subgroups too.

Critters that fall into this category are: cows , elk , buffalo , sheep , goats , and many rodents , to name a few.');

sitatunga

The Swamp-Dwelling Sitatunga