bovidae
Artiodactyla
Mammalia
About 247 days.
1.
Reeds, aquatic plants and grasses, occasionally browses.
About 19 years old.
This bovid, with dense hair and white markings on the body and face, usually lives in swampy areas with dense vegetation, where it can hide from predators. There is a clear sexual dimorphism in this species, so that the males have a darker brown color than the females, they are larger and only they have curious wavy horns.
It is common to find solitary individuals or forming small groups of about 6 members, with an adult male, some females and their young. The female usually takes her young to dense areas of vegetation to protect them from possible predators while she is nursing them.
The sitatunga is a great swimmer. When disturbed or threatened by a predator, they take refuge in the water of rivers or swamps, so they are able to submerge themselves, exposing only their eyes and nose. They also usually go into the water to look for food, thus avoiding possible carnivores.
The sitatunga has a peculiar adaptation to the environment in which it lives. Their hooves are fork-shaped and measure about 18 cm so they can walk through swampy areas without sinking.
When they walk on dry ground their gait is ungainly due to the shape and length of these hooves, but they only go to these areas in the rainy season.
