East African Sitatunga

East African Sitatunga

(Tragelaphus spekei spekei)

Current all time records
SCI: Score 78 6/8 - Tanzania, Moyowosi - 10/97
Rowland Ward: Score 27 3/8 - Lake Burigi, Tanzania - 2000

Description: The shaggy, water resistant coat varies in colour among populations, but is generally a rufous red in females and immature males. As the males mature, they gradually become to a grayish chocolate brown, growing a scraggly mane and a white dorsal stripe. There are white markings on the face, and stripes and spots on the body in both sexes, although they may be obscured by the shaggy pelage. The hooves are long and extremely narrow (up to 10 cm / 4 inches in length) with extended false hoofs, an adaptation to the marshy environment. The horns, found only on males, have 1-1.5 twists and grow 45-90 cm / 18-36 inches long.

Other Common Names: Northern Sitatunga, Speke Sitatunga

Size:

Range: Primarily Tanzania, but also occurs in Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, and Uganda; March - November.

Natural History: Spending most of its time among boggy papyrus beds in swamps, the sitatunga's elongated hoofs and flexible toe joints are excellent adaptions, preventing them from sinking into the soft ground. Sitatunga are excellent swimmers, and, when threatened, flee into deep water. They have been known to submerge themselves completely underwater, with only their nostrils above the waterline. Pathways are sometimes forged through the reeds, which are often used by hunters to set snares. While sitatunga are both nocturnal and diurnal, they are most active at dawn and dusk, and may move onto marshy land at night. Males have a loud, barking vocalization.

Hunting Characteristics: