Topi (Damaliskus lunatus) Swahili: Nyamera

Topi (Damaliskus lunatus) Swahili: Nyamera
The topi is not unlike the hartebeest in appearance,but is a dark almost purplish colour and has black patches on the rear thighs,front legs and face.Its horns which are found in both sexes,also differ in shape from the hartebeest in curving gently up,out and back.Although fairly widely distributed in East Africa. A highly gregarious antelope which lives in herds numbering from 15 up to several hundred individuals,topi congregate at certain times of year in gatherings of up to 10000 in preparation for a migration to fresh pastures.They are often found mingling with wildebeest,hartebeest and zebra.In the mating season,bulls select a well-defined patch of ground which is defended against other rivals and this is where the mating takes place.At this time females are free to wander from one patch to another.After mating,the herds split into single-sex parties.Topi are exclusively grazers and prefer flood plains which support lush pasture though they are capable of thriving on dry grasses which other antelopes will not eat.When water is available they drink frequently but they are also capable of surviving long periods without water so long as there is sufficient grass available.Their main predator is the lion.