Nyala

Nyala characteristics

Nyalas are medium-sized and spiral-horned antelope species. They are greater than bushbucks but smaller than kudus. An adult nyala’s height ranges from 135-195 cm. The male nyala weighs 98-125 kg and the female nyala weighs 55-68 kg. In males, they stand up to 110 cm and females stand close to 90 cm.

Nyalas are the most sexually dimorphic animals. The female nyalas and young nyalas have rusty or rufous-brown coats. In male nyalas, the coat darkens with age and becomes dark brown or slate grey in adulthood. Sometimes the adult male has a bluish tinge on its coat. The most striking feature of the nyala is the white stripes on its back. The female as well as young males have ten or more white vertical stripes on their sides. Little white blotches can be seen on their faces, throats, flanks, and thighs. In contrast, the adult male has only a few stripes, and some adults, they don’t have white stripes at all.

Moreover, males and females have white chevrons between their eyes. They have bushy tails 40-55 cm in length. In nyalas, a dorsal crest of hair runs from the back of the head to the end of the tail. Males have another line of hair on their chest and belly. Only male nyalas possess yellow-tipped horns that are 60-83 cm long. There are only one or two twists on the horns.

The nyala can live for about 19 years.

Range & habitat

The nyala is native to the southern parts of Africa. The range of their habitat includes Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Nyalas have been introduced to Botswana and Namibia recently.

They live in the dense woodlands and thickets. Nyala prefers regions where they can find sufficient quality grasses and freshwater. Sometimes they are also found in the lush green river country.

You can find the nyala in South African protected areas in the KwaZulu-Natal Game Reserves of Ndumo Game Reserve, Kruger National Park, uMkuze Game Reserve, etc. They can also be found in Lengwe National Park in Malawi.

Diet

Nyalas are herbivorous animals. Their diet includes foliage, fruits, flowers, and twigs. In the rainy season, they feed on fresh grass. They need a regular intake of water. That’s why they live in areas having sources of water nearby.

Behavior & lifestyle

Nyalas remain active in the early morning and late afternoon. They browse during the day if the temperature is between 20-30 °C. In rainy seasons, they browse at night.

Nylas are shy animals. They don’t generally wander in open fields or grassland and are mostly found in cool water holes. Unlike other antelopes, nyalas don’t fight for their territory. They can overlap each other’s territories. Moreover, they are very cautious animals and remain hidden. Old male nyalas live alone. Sometimes, mixed family groups of 2-10 individuals can be found.

The male nyala after reaching adulthood becomes solitary. In contrast, the female lives near their mother. Females use a sharp, high, dog-like bark to warn others about the danger. However, females reach sexual maturity at 11-12 months and males at 18 months. The gestation period lasts for 7 months and a single calf is born in each cycle.

Apart from that, the predators of the adult nyala are lion, leopard, and Cape hunting dog. Baboons and carnivorous birds are the predators of young nyalas.

Fun nyala facts

Here is a list or “Top 5 Fun Nyala Facts“. You can read the list below.

1. Nyalas have special hairy glands on their feet that leave their scent in the area they roam around.
2. Fossil evidence reveals that nyalas existed since the end of the Miocene age, 5.8 million years ago.
3. Recently, nyalas have become less shy and come out in the sight of tourists.
4. Nyalas react to the alarm calls of impala, baboons, and kudu. Impalas also react to the alarm calls of the nyalas.
5. Male and female nyalas eat different kinds and parts of plants due to their varying nutritional and energetic demands.

Meet the nyala

Here at SafarisAfricana, you can read such amazing facts about other African antelopes like Roan antelope, Oryx, Dik-dik, Gazelle, Steenbok, and a lot more…

You can also read about Savanna animals here.

Did you enjoy learning more about the nyala? Have you ever met this stunning snake face-to-face? Tell us about your nyala experience in the comment section below. Because those who care share!

Reference

1. Huffman, B. “Nyala”. Ultimate Ungulate.
2. Burton, M.; Burton, R. (2002). “Nyala“. International wildlife encyclopedia (3rd ed.). New York: Marshall Cavendish. pp. 1765–6. ISBN 978-0-7614-7269-8.
3. Grubb, P. (2005). “Order Artiodactyla“. In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 126. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
4. Unwin, M. (2003). Southern African Wildlife: A Visitor’s Guide. Chalfont St. Peter: Bradt Travel Guides. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-84162-060-2.
5. Ciszek, D. “Tragelaphus angasii“. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Animal Diversity Web.
6. Estes, R. D. (1999). “Nyala”. The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals, Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, and Primates (Revised ed.). Chelsea Green Pub. Co. p. 143. ISBN 978-1-890132-44-6.
7. Walker, C. (1996). “Nyala”. Signs of the Wild (5th ed.). Struik. p. 194. ISBN 978-1-86825-896-3.
8. Tello, Jose L.P.L.; Van Gelder, Richard G. (1975). “The natural history of nyala, Tragelaphus angasi (Mammalia, Bovidae) in Mozambique”. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. New York: American Museum of Natural History. 155: 323. HDL:2246/613.
9. Alden, P. C.; Estes, R. D.; Schlitter, D.; McBride, B. (1995) National Audubon Society Field Guide to African Wildlife. Chanticleer Press.
10.  Fitzpatrick, M.; Armstrong, K. (2006). South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland. Lonely Planet. p. 78.
11. Ciszek, D. “Tragelaphus angasii“. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Animal Diversity Web.
12. Fitzpatrick, M.; Armstrong, K. (2006). South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland. Lonely Planet. p. 78.