Nyala
ExploreMammals
Nyala
Tragelaphus angasii
Nyala are beautiful antelopes with long, spiral horns. They have shaggy fur and white stripes on their bodies. Nyala are shy and graceful creatures found in the forests and bushlands of Africa.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Nyala is a strikingly beautiful antelope with males having a shaggy, dark brown coat adorned with up to ten white stripes and impressive spiraled horns. Females are brighter reddish-brown with clearer stripes and lack horns, giving them a distinctly different appearance. Both sexes have a shaggy tail with a white underside.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderArtiodactylaFamilyBovidaeGenusTragelaphus
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Males and females look so different, they were once thought to be separate species!
Nyala love to visit "salt licks" to get essential minerals for strong bones.
The male's magnificent spiral horns can twist over three full turns!
They are very shy and often freeze in place, blending perfectly into the bushes.
Special abilities
Ability
Master of Disguise
Nyala can disappear into dense vegetation because of their striped coats that break up their outline, helping them hide from predators.
Ability
Sharp Ears
Nyala has large, sensitive ears that rotate, helping them detect distant sounds of predators or other Nyala.
Ability
Bush Navigator
Nyala can move quickly and silently through thick bush because of their slender legs, helping them escape danger.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 135-195 cm
- Weight
- 55-140 kg
- Lifespan
- 15-19 years
- Top Speed
- 55 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1
- Gestation
- 210-220 days
Diet & Feeding
These shy antelopes munch on a mix of leaves, twigs, fruits, and grasses they find in the bush.
Primary Foods
- Leaves
- Twigs
- Fruits
- Grasses
- Bark
- Flowers
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are a primary predator of Nyala in their habitat.
eaten by
Leopard
Panthera pardus
Leopards often ambush Nyala in dense bush.
depends on
Leadwood Tree
Combretum imberbe
Nyala browse on its leaves and seek its shade.
depends on
Umbrella Thorn
Acacia tortilis
Provides food and cover for Nyala in their habitat.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Striped
Marked with parallel bands or lines of color.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Horned
Characterized by having one or more hard, permanent, pointed projections on the head.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Always observe nyala from a safe distance and never try to approach them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Nyala?
135-195 cm
How much does Nyala weigh?
55-140 kg
How long does Nyala live?
15-19 years
How fast can Nyala move?
55 km/h
What does Nyala eat?
These shy antelopes munch on a mix of leaves, twigs, fruits, and grasses they find in the bush.
Where is Nyala usually found?
Forests
How does Nyala hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Nyala usually have?
1
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
Where to spot
Zoo14 sightings9 species
Bavaria, DE
Tierpark Hellabrunn
You might spot African Lion, Arachnida, and Insect.
View guide →
Zoo8 sightings7 species
England, UK
Newquay Zoo
You might spot African Lion, Red Panda, and Red-Tailed Green Ratsnake.
View guide →
Zoo0 sightings0 species
Izmir, TR
İzmir Doğal Yaşam Parkı
You might spot African Lion, Camelus, and Psittacidae.
View guide →
