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SPECIES PROFILE
Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii)
Tragelaphus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Central African wetlands
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Papyrus swamps and reed beds
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Artiodactyla
FAMILY
Bovidae
GENUS
Tragelaphus
📋 Description
SIZE
Up to 1.2 m at shoulder; 50-125 kg
COLORATION
Shaggy brown coat with faint white markings
ADAPTATIONS
Splayed, elongated hooves let it walk on floating vegetation
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Papyrus swamps and reed beds
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Central African wetlands
REPRODUCTION
Single calf
DIET DETAILS
Reeds, grasses and water plants
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Wetland loss, hunting
💡 Interesting Facts
1
A swamp-dwelling antelope so at home in water it can submerge with only its nostrils showing.
2
Its long splayed hooves stop it sinking in the Okavango's floating reed beds.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Okavango Delta
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
May-October
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Take a mokoro (canoe) through papyrus channels at dawn; the shy antelope wades and even swims to hide.
