Sitatunga

The Sitatunga is a medium-sized antelope with almost amphibious habits; its distribution covers the swampy forests and marshes of a large part of Africa.

The most outstanding particularity of its anatomy is its long hooves, widely separated at the tips and adapted to its swampy habitat. The Sitatunga has a curved appearance, because its back legs are higher than the front ones. It has long, slender legs, a short tail with a black tip and whitish edges. There is a marked sexual dimorphism between males and females. Its coat is long and greasy. The colors are dull brown with white touches or reddish brown with stripes, depending on whether it is male or female.

This antelope can spend hours in the water, submerged or swimming; in fact it is an excellent swimmer.

Solitary and shy, it usually goes unnoticed thanks to its coat, which provides camouflage.

Breeding takes place throughout the year; the female gives birth after seven months of gestation, usually to a single calf. Calves suckle until they are six months old, and females reach sexual maturity at twelve months. Males mature later, at up to two and a half years of age.

They feed on shoots, leaves, stems, fruits and aquatic plants during the night. During the day they lie under bushes to rest.