Nyala

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Richprins
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Nyala

Post by Richprins »

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tragelaphus angasii

The nyala (Nyala angasii or Tragelaphus angasii), also called inyala, is a spiral-horned antelope native to southern Africa. It is a species of the family Bovidae and genus Nyala, also considered to be in the genus Tragelaphus. It was first described in 1849 by George French Angas. The body length is 135–195 cm (53–77 in), and it weighs 55–140 kg (121–309 lb). The coat is rusty or rufous brown in females and juveniles, but grows a dark brown or slate grey, often tinged with blue, in adult males. Females and young males have ten or more white stripes on their sides. Only males have horns, 60–83 cm (24–33 in) long and yellow-tipped. It exhibits the highest sexual dimorphism among the spiral-horned antelopes.
The nyala is mainly active in the early morning and the late afternoon. It generally browses during the day if temperatures are 20–30 °C (68–86 °F) and during the night in rainy season. As a herbivore, the nyala feeds upon foliage, fruits and grasses, with sufficient fresh water. A shy animal, it prefers water holes rather than open spaces. The nyala does not show signs of territoriality, and individual areas can overlap each other. They are very cautious creatures. Old males live alone, but single sex or mixed family groups of up to 10 individuals can be found. These inhabit thickets within dense and dry savanna woodlands. The main predators of the nyala are lion, leopard and Cape hunting dog, while baboons and raptorial birds hunt for the juveniles. Mating peaks during spring and autumn. Males and females are sexually mature at 18 and 11–12 months of age respectively, though they are socially immature until five years old. After a gestational period of seven months, a single calf is born.

The nyala's range includes Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. It has been introduced to Botswana and Namibia, and reintroduced to Swaziland, where it was extinct since the 1950s. Its population is stable and it has been listed as of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The principal threats to the species are poaching and habitat loss resulting from human settlement. The males are highly demanded as game animals in Africa.




I'll put up an award-winning pic later! \O
Last edited by Richprins on Mon Jan 04, 2016 8:20 am, edited 1 time in total.


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Amoli
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Re: Nyala - Mammal of the Month September 2014

Post by Amoli »

O/\ a grand choice Sir.. looking forward to your [O]


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Re: Nyala - Mammal of the Month September 2014

Post by nan »

^Q^ super choice, will have a look \O


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Re: Nyala - Mammal of the Month September 2014

Post by Richprins »

This is a brand new pic, and brilliantly juxtaposes the ewe, in front, and the bull, in the background!






Image



Interestingly, the nyala is where the dividing line appears regarding the terms "bull" and"cow" and "ram" and"ewe" regarding antelope!

It is the only species where the male is a bull and the female a ewe! :-)


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Re: Nyala - Mammal of the Month September 2014

Post by Amoli »

Thanks RP - I need to try and remember that.

Here is a pic of an EWE.... O:V

Image

and a bull.. taken at Punda Maria Hide

Image


reflection ;-)

Image


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Re: Nyala - Mammal of the Month September 2014

Post by nan »

me too I have to remember 0*\

super reflection ^Q^


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Re: Nyala - Mammal of the Month September 2014

Post by nan »

The first ever.... I was so O/\ O/\ O/\

Image 17.2.2008


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Re: Nyala - Mammal of the Month September 2014

Post by Amoli »

At the Punda hide :

Image

On the maoela loop :

Image

A little closer ....

Image


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Re: Nyala - Mammal of the Month September 2014

Post by okie »

In the Pafuri


Image


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Re: Nyala - Mammal of the Month September 2014

Post by nan »

Nyalas are very beautifull Antelopes O/\
^Q^ ^Q^ ^Q^


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