Sitatunga

Tragelaphus spekii

The perfect footwear

Sitatungas have particularly elongated and splayed hooves. This distributes their weight over a relatively large area and prevents them from sinking into the swampy ground.

Characteristics

  • Origin

    Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Benin, Nigeria, Chad (West Africa)

  • Habitat

    preferably rivers and lakes with dense reed banks

  • Diet

    all species of water plants and reeds

  • Status

    least concern

  • Size

    1,5 m

  • Weight

    70 to 80 kg

  • Gestation period

    241 days

  • Achievable age

    up to 15 years in the wild, up to 20 years in human care

Threat Categories of IUCN

His and hers

Only the males sport impressive horns, which can grow up to 90 cm long. The two sexes also differ in size and colour: males have grey to chocolate-brown fur, while females are chestnut or reddish-brown.

 

Did you know that ...

...the sitatunga is also known as the marshbuck,
...they communicate with alarm calls that sound,
...like sneezes and if in danger, they can almost completely submerge themselves in water?

Adopt an animal

Lend your support to the Zoo’s modern, high-quality animal keeping and care by becoming an animal sponsor.

DONATE NOW

Opening hours

Today, 9. December
9:00 - 16:30
Last admission: 15:30
Opening hours

Feedings & Trainings

  • Our animals are full up. No more feeding sessions today.
All feedings

Map

Zoo map