Nyala (antelope) |
Unique Features
Nyala have glands at the base of their false hooves. Their alarm call is a deep bark, they bleat when stressed, and females call their calves with a clicking sound. Description The Nyala male stands 112cms at the shoulder, with long, slightly twisted horns around 83cms in length. The Nyala male has a greyish-brown coat with a long, dark fringe on the neck, stomach and rump. The females are much smaller than the males and have no horns. Their coats are reddish with up to 18 vertical stripes. Young males have up to 14 vertical stripes which reduce to 3-4 stripes in older males. Predators: The Nyala is preyed upon by a wide range of carnivores such as lion, leopard, hyena, wild dogs and cheetah. Their young are also taken by python, eagles, jackals and baboons. Nyala hide in thickets to avoid predators and the pattern of their coat provides good camouflage. Family Ties: The basic social unit is a female and calf. Several of these family groups usually combine to form female herds. Male herds join them at waterholes or feeding sites. forming mixed herds of up to 30 individuals. |