The nyala Tragelaphus angasii
Nyala видео
The name "nyala" is the Swahili name for this antelope, which itself comes from the Zulu "inyala", and the species scientific name originates from the name of George French Angas (1822 – 1886), an English naturalist who first described this antelope. This antelope’s body length reaches 140 cm, shoulder height is up to 110 cm and weight ranges from 55 to 125 kg, with males being much heavier than females. The nyala antelope shows a marked sexual dimorphism, with the two sexes looking entirely different. The females are hornless and have rufous-chestnut coat with 10 vertical stripes on the sides. The long, dense, black hairs on the neck, chest, underside and hind legs, forming a “skirt” in the males, make them easily distinguished. Long shaggy coat almost completely obscures the stripes on the males’ bodies. Males have fewer markings than females but they feature erectile white dorsal crest and horns that grow 60 to 83 cm long. Nyala antelopes occur in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and northeast of South Africa; besides, this species was introduced to national parks of Botswana and South Africa. These antelopes inhabit dry hilly lowlands, rocky plain scrublands and forests with dense undergrowth located near water reservoirs. Females with their young live in small herds, while males are solitary. Nyala antelopes forage during late evening and night, coming out to the open places. In daytime they rest in the bush tickets, hiding from predators. Their diet consists of leaves, branches, flowers and fruits of many plants. Nyala antelopes drink in the day, when water is available but they are able to survive in the areas, where they have access to water only in rain seasons. Gestation lasts 7 to 8 months, after which a single calf of 5 kg is born. The calf is weaned after 6 or 7 months.
