Sitatunga: Tragelaphus spekii
A larger version of the bushbuck which lives in swamps and marshlands; the only aquatic antelope.
Characteristics
Weight and Height
males: wt 154-275 lb (70-125 kg), ht 35-50 in (88-125 cm)
females: wt 110-124 lb (50-57 kg), ht 30-36 in (75-90 cm)
Horns
Typically two turns, 18 to 36 in (45-90 cm) long.
Coat
Several inches long, but thin and oily making it water-repellent
Color
females are brown to chestnut; males gray-brown to dark brown; both are spotted and striped; white patches on neck.
General Locations
Swamps and marshes in the rainforests of West Africa and the wetter parts of the southern savanna. The sitatunga shares land with the Nile lechwe in southern Sudan, Zambia, Botswana, and Angola.
The sitatunga can be seen in the following National Parks and Reserves: Moyowosi GR, Tanzania; Busanda Swamps, in Kafue NP, Bengweulu Swamp, Zambia; Okavango Delta, Botswana.
Habitat
Swamps are very productive ecosystems and can support 142 sitatungas/sq mi (55/sq km). Sitatungas live in parts of papyrus swamps and wetlands where reeds, bullrushes, and sedges are abundant. Since it feeds on swamp vegetation in the water and grazing on green grasslands, there is always abundant food for the sitatunga.
Social System
In most cases, sitatungas are seen ranging alone. However, females are often seen with two or three offspring. 2/3 of the males seen are often accompanying females; the largest group seen included 4 females and 4 young.
Reproduction
The gestation period is 7.5 months and females conceive at yearly intervals during the dry season. Males mature by the age of 5.
Predators
Lion, wild dog, and leopard.
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