Sitatunga ( Tragelaphus spekei) Swahili: Nzohe

Sitatunga ( Tragelaphus spekei) Swahili: Nzohe
The sitatunga is an swamp antelope with unusual elongated hooves which gives it ability to walk on marshy ground without sinking.Very similar to the bushbuck in appearance,except that the coat of the male is much darker and the hair of both sexes much longer and shaggier,the sitatunga stands something over one metre at the shoulder.The females have a lighter,redish coat and the males have twisted horns up to 90 cm long. It is a fairly shy antelope and sightings are not all that common.A good swimmer,the sitatunga will often submerge itself almost completely when alarmed.It feeds largely on papyrus and other reeds and is usually nocturnal though in places where it remains undisturbed it can be diurnal.Animals normally live singly or in pairs or in pairs but sometimes come together in small herds numbering up to 15 .