Nyala

Male Nya

The Nyala is a medium-sized antelope found in forested areas and grassland thickets in southern Africa. Males are much larger than the females, and are grey colored with massive horns that can measure as long as 31in (80cm). Females and juveniles are smaller and red. Both sexes have white striping on the sides and crests of longer hair that runs down the back to the tail.

Female and juvenile Nyalas live in groups of up to 30 individuals. Males also form groups, but they are less cohesive. Groups are not very territorial, but they do intermingle with other species, reacting to their alarm calls. Nyalas are most active during dawn and dusk, and they feed by both grazing and browsing.

Breeding can take place at any time of year, and when a female is in heat, males use their huge horns to fight over her. One calf if born at a time, after a gestation of around 7 months. The calf is then hidden by its mother for a few weeks, to protect it from predators while it is still weak.

Though habitat loss once affected their numbers, Nyala populations are now stable. Around 80% of Nyalas live in protected areas, where they are actually becoming too populous in some cases. Males are in high demand by trophy hunters.

Female Nyalas

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IUCN Status : Least Concern

Location : Southern Africa

Size : Weight up to 270lbs (122kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Artiodactyla
Family : Bovidae -- Genus : Tragelaphus-- Species : T. angasii