Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei) is the most aquatic antelope, with elongated, splayed hooves and versatile foot joints that enable it to move through the muddy ground. Although common, in African swamps and permanent marshes, the Sitatunga is also one of the most secretive and least known of great Africa as it spends most of its time within the muggy environment. It is a part of the spiral-horned antelope tribe, (the Bovidae family), which also includes Nyala and Kudu. The Sitatungas grow shaggy, waterproof fur, brown to chestnut in males and gray-brown to chocolate-brown in females, which partially blankets them when lurking slowly in the deepest and densest parts of the swamp.
Sitatungas have a shoulder height between 28.3”-45.7” (72-116 cm), body length from 42”-67” (106-170 cm), standing height of roughly 32.7”-53.5” (83-136 cm), and a body width of 9.4”-15” (24-38 cm). The horns of a Sitatunga are between 18”-35” (45.7-88.9 cm). Weights of Sitatunga vary between males and females with males weighing between 154-275 lb (70-125 kg) and females from 88-187 lb (40-85 kg). Sitatungas have a typical lifespan of 10-15 years in the wild and 17-22 years in captivity.
Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei) is the most aquatic antelope, with elongated, splayed hooves and versatile foot joints that enable it to move through the muddy ground. Although common, in African swamps and permanent marshes, the Sitatunga is also one of the most secretive and least known of great Africa as it spends most of its time within the muggy environment. It is a part of the spiral-horned antelope tribe, (the Bovidae family), which also includes Nyala and Kudu. The Sitatungas grow shaggy, waterproof fur, brown to chestnut in males and gray-brown to chocolate-brown in females, which partially blankets them when lurking slowly in the deepest and densest parts of the swamp.
Sitatungas have a shoulder height between 28.3”-45.7” (72-116 cm), body length from 42”-67” (106-170 cm), standing height of roughly 32.7”-53.5” (83-136 cm), and a body width of 9.4”-15” (24-38 cm). The horns of a Sitatunga are between 18”-35” (45.7-88.9 cm). Weights of Sitatunga vary between males and females with males weighing between 154-275 lb (70-125 kg) and females from 88-187 lb (40-85 kg). Sitatungas have a typical lifespan of 10-15 years in the wild and 17-22 years in captivity.
