DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
Africa. Swamp areas, savannas, forests, glades.
BEHAVIOUR
Mostly active in the evening. He lives in small family groups. He chooses dry hills to rest. The ability to spread wide to the sides of narrow hooves makes it easier to navigate the changing ground of swamps.
DIET
Sedges, papyri, shrub leaves, tree bark, flowers, buds, seeds. From time to time, it eats elephant droppings to obtain food from undigested seeds
REPRODUCTION
Sexual maturity is reached at the age of 1-2 years. Gestation: 240-250 days. If the female does not find a dry ground before giving birth, she prepares a special mat made of dry reeds. The mother takes care of the young up to 4-6 months of age. Life expectancy: approx. 22 years in the zoo.
Adult body weight: from 50 to 120 kg.
GOOD TO KNOW
Threats to the species: fragmentation and loss of natural habitats, hunting for meat. Sitatunga shows a remarkable ability to survive near human settlements, provided that suitable habitats are maintained.
- Latin name: Tragelaphus spekii gratus
- IUCN –Red List – LC – least concern
- ESB – European Studbook
