Nyala

Scientific name: Tragelaphus angasii
Common name: Nyala
Afrikaans: Njala
Setswana: Tsama

Description

The coat is rusty or rufous brown in females and juveniles. It grows a dark brown or slate grey in adult males, often with a bluish tinge. Females and young males have ten or more white vertical stripes on their sides. Other markings are visible on the face, throat, flanks and thighs. Stripes are very reduced or absent in older males. Both males and females have a white chevron between their eyes, and a 40–55 cm (16–22 in) long bushy tail white underside. Both sexes have a dorsal crest of hair running right from the back of the head to the end of the tail. Males have another line of hair along the midline of their chest and belly.
Only the males have horns. Horns are 60–83 cm (24–33 in) long and yellow-tipped. There are one or two twists. The spoor is similar to that of the bushbuck, but larger. It is 5–6 cm (2.0–2.4 in) long. The faces resemble round to spherical pellets. The nyala has hairy glands on its feet, which leave their scent wherever it walks.

Habitat

This rather large antelope inhabits dense woodlands and thickets along permanent water. It is very secretive and more easily seen at night. Nyala is non-territorial, but both sexes have overlapping home ranges. The home ranges of cows are twice the size of that of bulls.
Diet. This antelope feeds by both grazing and browsing and will readily feed on leaves, fruit and flowers. This variety in their diet is one of the factors ensuring their successful survival.

Behaviour

An interesting fact is that the juvenile males look like females. It is thought that this camouflages the young males and protects them from the jealous eyes of the dominant bulls. The young males are therefore allowed to grow up peacefully under the protection of the herd. They breed throughout the year but mating peaks in autumn and spring. Single calves are born after a gestation period of 220 days. Twins are not uncommon. Cows first conceive between 14 to 18 months. The average interval between births is 297 days. Mating opportunities for bulls are decided through dominance behaviour.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: Least concern. SA Red Data Book: Least concern.

References

1. Peter Apps, Mammals of Southern Africa, A Field Guide (2012) Page 249-250
2. Madelein J Grundlingh, Africa’s Mammals, Discovering 101 Species (2010) Page 104-105