The nyala (Tragelaphus angasii) is a strikingly handsome, shaggy-coated antelope of dense woodland and thickets near water. Bulls are dark grey-brown with white stripes, a long mane and lyre-shaped horns; the smaller, hornless cows are bright chestnut. Secretive and most active in the cool hours, nyala are a rewarding Kruger sighting.
Name
Nyala [Nyala angasii or Tragelaphus angasii]
Appearance
The Nyala is an antelope that has a shaggy brown coat that has white stripes running vertically down the sides. They have a thick black mane that runs down their back to their tail as well as from its throat to its hind legs. They have some white spots on their undersides. The Bulls have long rear facing horns that reach lengths of 650mm. Bulls weigh 115kg and stands 1.05m at the shoulder. The cows are significantly smaller and have no horns, they weigh about 59kg and only stand 900mm at the shoulder.
Diet
This antelope is a grazer and browser that feeds leaves, fruits and flowers.
Breeding
Nyalas are animals that can breed throughout the year. The mating peaks during spring and autumn. Single calves are born after about 220 days of gestation. It isnāt uncommon for twins to be born.
Behaviour
A very interesting fact is that juvenile males actually look like the females. This camouflage technique can actually be useful to hide the juveniles from the dominant bulls. Young males can live peacefully live in the protection of the herd.
Habitat
Nyalas inhabit dense woods and thickets that are near permanent water sources. These animals are rather secretive and are easier to be seen during the night. Nyalas are non territorial animals and are known to share their territory with other bulls. These animals can be a rather common sighting during a Kruger Park Safari.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you tell male and female nyala apart?
Male and female nyala look so different they can seem like separate species. Bulls are larger and dark greyish-brown with a shaggy coat, a long mane and spiralled horns up to about 650 mm. Cows and young are smaller, bright reddish-chestnut, and have no horns, a striking example of sexual dimorphism.
What do nyala eat?
Nyala are both grazers and browsers, feeding on leaves, fruits and flowers as well as grass. This flexible diet lets them thrive in the dense woodland and thicket they prefer, and they rarely stray far from a permanent source of water where good cover and food are close together.
Where can you see nyala in the Kruger?
Nyala favour dense woodland and riverine thickets close to permanent water, so look for them along tree-lined rivers rather than in the open. They are rather secretive and easiest to see in the cool of early morning and evening, and are a fairly common sighting in the right habitat on a Kruger safari.
How do young male nyala avoid trouble?
Young male nyala look very like the females, and this resemblance works as camouflage: it lets them live peacefully within the herd without being seen as rivals by the dominant bulls. Nyala are also non-territorial and will share their range with other bulls, which keeps conflict to a minimum.
