Sitatunga Fact Sheet

• Subspecies: Tragelaphus spekii
• Order: Artiodactyla
• Kiswahili name: Nzohe
• Diet: Browser/grazer
• Life span: up to 19 years
• Gestation period: 7.5 months
• Habitat: Swamps, marshes and wetlands
• Predators: humans, pythons, leopards and lions

Sitatunga move through the swamps on established pathways. Major arteries are up to seven meters wide with a number of side pathways leading to feeding areas and exit areas to dry land. In areas of tall reeds these pathways may appear to be tunnels.

The best time to spot the sitatunga is between sunrise and 10AM and also from 5PM to sunset. They emerge from the swamps at darkness or when undisturbed. Sitatunga normally sleep on platforms of dry vegetation, which they trample and circle to condense. Each animal makes its own platform which may be used several times.

Ecology

Diet: leaves, buds shoots, fruit, reeds and grass

Sitatunga are both grazers and browsers, They have a prehensile tongue that allows them to grab long reeds and flowering plants. At night they are known to emerge from their protected habitat to dry land to graze on grass and continue into the forest to browse on foliage. Sitatunga tend to stay in one feeding area for several days and then suddenly shift to a new area. The males can break tree branches with their horns to get the bark and vegetation. They have been reported also to be able to reach higher vegetation by rearing on their hindquarters.

Reproduction and calving

Although mating occurs throughout the year, most births are reported during the dry season. The calves are born on a dry trampled platform in the swamp.

The gestation period is 7.5 months and they only give birth to a single calf. Females reproduce at yearly intervals

The calf is well hidden and remains secluded on the platform for several weeks only with short visits from its mother for suckling. Although nursed for 4-6 months, it is more independent of its mother than most antelopes. The ties between mother and young do not last long, as sub-adult sitatunga are often found on their own.

The calf's initial movements are awkward, sometimes they even fall into the water. However, they will soon learn how to move slowly thought the swamp to avoid being seen.

More sitatunga facts

*Research has found that maturity levels and geographical locations have modified the appearances in coloration, pelage and markings. A calf is generally more reddish with obvious stripes and spots.

Sitatunga have a long shaggy coat. The hair is thin, oily and water repellent. The male has faint stripes and the female has 6-8 vertical stripes that are more defined. Other markings include white spots on the cheeks, highs, throat and face.

Another adaptation is the extremely narrow hoof (up to 10 cm - 4 inches in length) that enables the sitatunga to move easily throughout the swamp.

Distribution

Sitatunga are only breeding on three places in the whole of Kenya;
Saiwa Swamp National Park in Western Kenya, Lake Victoria and here on Lewa.