Sitatunga

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Sitatunga
Conservation status
Lower risk
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae Subfamily: Bovinae Genus: Tragelaphus Species: T. spekeii
Binomial name
Tragelaphus spekeii Sclater, 1863

The sitatunga or marshbuck (Tragelaphus spekeii) is a swamp-dwelling antelope found throughout Central Africa centering on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Botswana and in Zambia.

Sitatunga stand about one and a half metres at the shoulder. Sitatunga have a water-proof coat which is dark brown in males and reddish brown in females. Both sexes have white stripes and spots as well as white splotches on their faces. Their hooves are long and thin to deal with the Sitatunga's swampy habitat. Males have a mane as well as horns, which are twisted and can reach almost a metre in length.

Sitatunga live in papyrus swamps and are very good swimmers. They may take to the water to evade predators such as leopards or wild dogs, lying submerged in pools with only their nostrils above the surface. They are crepuscular although they are also somewhat active at night and day. Sitatunga are mostly solitary.

[edit] External links

• ARKive - images and movies of the sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii)
• African Wildlife Fund