The Nyala
Created | Updated Oct 20, 2010
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<IMG SRC="http://www.fotango.com/p/eba00019870f00000049.jpg" align=left vspace=20 hspace=20 alt="A Nyala Ram">
<H1>
THE NYALA
</H1>
<H2>
1. Name, Classification and Relationships.
</H2>
<P>
The Nyala, <i>Tragelaphus angasii</i>, is a most striking species of antelope. It's common name is a derivation from its Zulu name, 'Inxala'.
As for its scientific names, <i>Tragelaphus</i> means 'Goat Deer' and the Nyala shares this genus with between five and eight
(depending on whether the two Elands and the Bongo are
included or not) other spiral-horned antelope. As a species it has been named after Mr. Douglas Angas, who first brought this animal to the
attention of European zoologists.
</P>
<H2>
2. Description
</h2>
<P>
This antelope displays the most extreme form of sexual dimorphism (difference between males and females) to be found in the entire family. In other
antelopes it often happens that the male carries horns while the female doesn't, but aside from that they look similar. Sometimes it happens that
the male is slightly bigger than the female. The Nyala goes further than that: 1) The ram carries horns, the ewe not. 2) The ram is about twice
as big as the ewe. 3) The ram has a long and shaggy coat while the ewe's is short and smooth 4) The ram is dark brownish-grey in color, while the
ewe is bright russet. In fact, a person ignorant of the identification of African antelopes will, by looking at them in isolation, come to the
conclusion that they are separate species! In nature, however, there's sometimes a strong clue: when the ram is accompanied by an
ewe and/or one or two of their offspring as well. This at least suggests that they are closely related.
</P>
<P>
The first picture shows a big Nyala ram. They are usually about 240 lbs in bodyweight, with a range from 200 to 280 lbs. They stand on average
about four foot at the shoulder, and their horns are typically two feet long, with a record of 33 inches. The horns are keeled in front
and behind, and are spirally twisted along their length. They also have a few transverse ridges along their bottom half. From the forehead they
curve outward and backward, and then inward and slightly forward again. The horns are mostly dark in color, but their sharp tips are ivory-colored.
</P>
<img src="http://www.fotango.com/p/eba00019870f00000050.jpg" align=right vspace=20 hspace=20 alt="A Nyala ewe">
As has been said, the Nyala ram has a long, shaggy coat. A white, erectable mane stretches all along the midline of his back, and a black beard
hangs below his head and neck. This continues as a hairy fringe all along the Nyala's belly, and over the hind legs the hairs hang down like the legs
of a pair of trousers. The Nyala ram's tail is very interesting: short, wide, and shaggy. It might be helpful to know that it looks very much
like the tail of a yak, in case you've ever seen the tail of a yak. If not, just imagine it as the head of a very hairy mop thumbtacked to it's rump.
</P>
The Nyala ram's coat is shorter on its face and the sides of its body. Its colour is mostly dark greyish brown, with the exception of some markings. Just
in front of its eyes, at the top of its muzzle, is a neat white chevron. It has a few white spots on its cheeks, chin and neck, and white patches at the base of its
ears. Its forehead is rufous to chestnut brown. It also has a white spot on its chest, a few white stripes along its sides, and some more white
patches on its hips and thighs. Its lower legs are rufous brown.
</P>
<P>
The second picture shows a Nyala ewe. On average she weighs about 135 lbs, little more than half the size of the ram. She is an exquisite-looking creature: hornless, with a neat and delicate appearance. Her russet coat is marked more clearly with white than that
of the ram: she has up to eighteen crisp white vertical lines along her flanks. Her lips and chin are white, and she has a black nose and blaze that
goes along the muzzle up to eye level. The white chevron between the eyes can be present or absent. She also has a white spot on her chest at the
base of her neck, white spots and patches on her thighs and the insides of her legs, and her belly and the underside of her tail is also white. She has
no fringe of long hairs on her throat or undersides, but she does have a narrow, neat mane running from the back of her head along the midline of her
back to the base of her tail. Unlike that of the ram, her mane is tipped black.
</P>
<P>
Young Nyalas, male or female, has the same coloration as the ewe. The rams get their shaggy coats only with sexual adulthood. Interestingly enough,
it has been observed that adult rams sometimes have deviant coloration: sandy to golden yellow, and sometimes bright rufous to chestnut similar
to the ewe.
</P>
<H2>
3. Distribution and Habitat
</H2>
<P>
<img src="http://www.fotango.com/p/eba00019870f00000051.jpg" align=left vspace=20 hspace=20 alt="Distribution Map for the Nyala">
The Nyala occupies a rather restricted range in South-Eastern Africa. It can be found from the northeastern regions of South Africa into Mozambique,
Zimbabwe and Malawi. It lives in savannah woodland, mostly in the luxuriant vegetation alongside rivers, where there are thickets and trees that provide cover,
and where there is fresh green vegetation year-round. It sometimes emerges into open areas to feed on grass, but will stay close to trees and bushes. If anything
frightens it, it will run into the thick vegetation to hide. In areas where it there is a lot of disturbance, for instance where humans live, it will
stay in the denser areas and only come out into the open at night.
</P>
<h2>
4. Diet
</h2>
<P>
Nyalas browse as well as graze. Most of the time they eat the leaves of trees, herbs and shrubs,
but will eat grass just after the rains when it is newly sprouted and still soft and fresh. They also eat the fruit and flowers of many kinds of
trees and shrubs, among them the fruit of the <a href="http://www.h2g2.com/A448201">Nyala Tree</a> and the flowers of the <a href="http://www.h2g2.com/A446988">Baobab
Tree</a>. They also sometimes eat the bark of Baobab and other trees.
</P>
<H2>
5. Behavior
</H2>
<P>
Within their habitat Nyalas usually occur in small groups. There are many different kinds of groups. Rams usually roam around solitary, but sometimes
team up with other rams. They are not territorial, but will form dominance hierarchies within their range. Rams who roam in the same areas will display
towards each other. This display is meant to settle the question of who's the boss, with body size and strength, or at least the appearance of size and
strength, being the key determinant. It goes through stages, and it ends at any stage when one of the animals
backs down. First the white mane along the back is erected halfway. That's just a sign of acknowledgement. If the challenger approaches, the next stage is
an exaggerated mutual approach with the mane fully erected, the head held up high, and the animals stepping towards and around each other with high,
deliberate steps, sizing each other up, occasionally stopping to paw the ground. If it goes into the next stage, the head is lowered with the horns pointing forward, and the tail is lifted up over the back and spread
out to show its white underside.
</P>
<P>
<img src="http://www.fotango.com/p/eba00050359f00000001.jpg" align=right vspace=20 hspace=20 alt="Nyala Ram - Close Up">
That's the last stage of the show. If neither animal is intimidated by the other one by then, things get physical. They will go head to head, horn to
horn. Even then they will not deliberately try to hurt one another, but try to determine who's the strongest by battle. They will try to overpower and
tire each other out. Submission is signalled by a lowering of the dorsal mane, backing away, swaying the head from side to side and turning away from
the opponent. But should neither of the animals submit, it can go on to the death. This happens very rarely, but at least one incident has been noted
where one Nyala ram fatally gored another.
</P>
<P>
Fighting only happens under extreme circumstances, such as when two desperate rams simultaneously
converge on a willing ewe who's in estrus. At other times rams tolerate each other, casually forming small herds and later disbanding again,
meeting each other without
challenge or incident. Young rams, or 'bachelors', are more likely to form herds, while more mature, experienced rams usually go it alone.
On their part ewes also form groups - most often such a group is one or more ewes with her/their offspring. Sometimes rams join such ewe-groups for
a short time. Solitary ewes are also found, as are their solitary lams. Sometimes large numbers of Nyalas come together to form herds of 30 animals or
more. This usually happens when there's good food or water in open areas, and the Nyalas feel more secure in large numbers under such circumstances.
</P>
<P>
Nyalas prefer lush habitats with plentiful food and water where they do not need to travel very far or fast. Their home ranges are typically about one
quarter to one and a half square miles in extent.
</P>
<h2>
6. Reproduction
</h2>
<P>
There is no particular season during which Nyalas breed. The mating ritual is like this: whenever a ram encounters a ewe he will test whether she's in
estrus by smelling her v***a. If she is, he will press his forequarters against her hindquarters. She will move away indignantly. He will then follow
her and try to press his head between her rear legs. He will even shove her upwards so hard that her hind legs come off the ground. This can go on for 24
hours. Sometimes the ram is replaced by a more dominant ram. If the ewe stops playing hard to get the ram will move forwards and stand next to her.
From this position he'll lift his neck and put it over hers, pressing down. She goes down, he gets on top of her and they mate. When the ewe lowers her
head it is understood as a signal that she's willing. This leads to some confusion as a ewe taking a drink at a waterhole is sometimes surprised to suddenly
find a ram on her back!
</P>
<P>
Ewes come in estrus every nineteen days or so, unless they're carrying a fawn.
Only a single fawn,
mind you, and she carries it for about seven months and ten days. At birth the fawn weighs about ten pounds. She gives birth in a thicket and the fawn
stays hidden in the dense plant growth for the first two weeks of its life. When the fawn is disturbed by anything such as a noise or movement, it will
lower its head and lie flat on the ground, totally immobile, for many minutes, after which the threat is likely to have passed. Every day the ewe returns
to the fawn a few times to suckle and clean it.
</P>
<h2>
7. Enemies, Threats and Conservation
</h2>
<P>
Although Nyalas are only found over a small range, they can be quite plentiful in places and is currently not in any immediate danger. In fact, they have
benefited from human activity in some areas. When "slash and burn" agriculturists abandon lands, these are quickly colonized by fast-growing weeds that form excellent fodder for Nyalas.
They also feed on the herbs, shrubs and trees that infest areas that have been overgrazed by domestic stock. Nyalas are found in large
numbers and can easily be seen in numerous game
and nature reserves.
</P>
<h2>
8. Links
</h2>
<P>
For additional information about the Nyala check out this web-page:
<BR/>
<a href="http://www.ultimateungulate.com/nyala.html">Brent Huffman's Artiodactyla Page: The Nyala</a>
This site is wonderful for pictures and information about all kinds of hoofed mammals.
</P>
</BODY>
</HTML
<BODY>
<BODY BGCOLOR="e8e8ff">
<IMG SRC="http://www.fotango.com/p/eba00019870f00000049.jpg" align=left vspace=20 hspace=20 alt="A Nyala Ram">
<H1>
THE NYALA
</H1>
<H2>
1. Name, Classification and Relationships.
</H2>
<P>
The Nyala, <i>Tragelaphus angasii</i>, is a most striking species of antelope. It's common name is a derivation from its Zulu name, 'Inxala'.
As for its scientific names, <i>Tragelaphus</i> means 'Goat Deer' and the Nyala shares this genus with between five and eight
(depending on whether the two Elands and the Bongo are
included or not) other spiral-horned antelope. As a species it has been named after Mr. Douglas Angas, who first brought this animal to the
attention of European zoologists.
</P>
<H2>
2. Description
</h2>
<P>
This antelope displays the most extreme form of sexual dimorphism (difference between males and females) to be found in the entire family. In other
antelopes it often happens that the male carries horns while the female doesn't, but aside from that they look similar. Sometimes it happens that
the male is slightly bigger than the female. The Nyala goes further than that: 1) The ram carries horns, the ewe not. 2) The ram is about twice
as big as the ewe. 3) The ram has a long and shaggy coat while the ewe's is short and smooth 4) The ram is dark brownish-grey in color, while the
ewe is bright russet. In fact, a person ignorant of the identification of African antelopes will, by looking at them in isolation, come to the
conclusion that they are separate species! In nature, however, there's sometimes a strong clue: when the ram is accompanied by an
ewe and/or one or two of their offspring as well. This at least suggests that they are closely related.
</P>
<P>
The first picture shows a big Nyala ram. They are usually about 240 lbs in bodyweight, with a range from 200 to 280 lbs. They stand on average
about four foot at the shoulder, and their horns are typically two feet long, with a record of 33 inches. The horns are keeled in front
and behind, and are spirally twisted along their length. They also have a few transverse ridges along their bottom half. From the forehead they
curve outward and backward, and then inward and slightly forward again. The horns are mostly dark in color, but their sharp tips are ivory-colored.
</P>
<img src="http://www.fotango.com/p/eba00019870f00000050.jpg" align=right vspace=20 hspace=20 alt="A Nyala ewe">
As has been said, the Nyala ram has a long, shaggy coat. A white, erectable mane stretches all along the midline of his back, and a black beard
hangs below his head and neck. This continues as a hairy fringe all along the Nyala's belly, and over the hind legs the hairs hang down like the legs
of a pair of trousers. The Nyala ram's tail is very interesting: short, wide, and shaggy. It might be helpful to know that it looks very much
like the tail of a yak, in case you've ever seen the tail of a yak. If not, just imagine it as the head of a very hairy mop thumbtacked to it's rump.
</P>
The Nyala ram's coat is shorter on its face and the sides of its body. Its colour is mostly dark greyish brown, with the exception of some markings. Just
in front of its eyes, at the top of its muzzle, is a neat white chevron. It has a few white spots on its cheeks, chin and neck, and white patches at the base of its
ears. Its forehead is rufous to chestnut brown. It also has a white spot on its chest, a few white stripes along its sides, and some more white
patches on its hips and thighs. Its lower legs are rufous brown.
</P>
<P>
The second picture shows a Nyala ewe. On average she weighs about 135 lbs, little more than half the size of the ram. She is an exquisite-looking creature: hornless, with a neat and delicate appearance. Her russet coat is marked more clearly with white than that
of the ram: she has up to eighteen crisp white vertical lines along her flanks. Her lips and chin are white, and she has a black nose and blaze that
goes along the muzzle up to eye level. The white chevron between the eyes can be present or absent. She also has a white spot on her chest at the
base of her neck, white spots and patches on her thighs and the insides of her legs, and her belly and the underside of her tail is also white. She has
no fringe of long hairs on her throat or undersides, but she does have a narrow, neat mane running from the back of her head along the midline of her
back to the base of her tail. Unlike that of the ram, her mane is tipped black.
</P>
<P>
Young Nyalas, male or female, has the same coloration as the ewe. The rams get their shaggy coats only with sexual adulthood. Interestingly enough,
it has been observed that adult rams sometimes have deviant coloration: sandy to golden yellow, and sometimes bright rufous to chestnut similar
to the ewe.
</P>
<H2>
3. Distribution and Habitat
</H2>
<P>
<img src="http://www.fotango.com/p/eba00019870f00000051.jpg" align=left vspace=20 hspace=20 alt="Distribution Map for the Nyala">
The Nyala occupies a rather restricted range in South-Eastern Africa. It can be found from the northeastern regions of South Africa into Mozambique,
Zimbabwe and Malawi. It lives in savannah woodland, mostly in the luxuriant vegetation alongside rivers, where there are thickets and trees that provide cover,
and where there is fresh green vegetation year-round. It sometimes emerges into open areas to feed on grass, but will stay close to trees and bushes. If anything
frightens it, it will run into the thick vegetation to hide. In areas where it there is a lot of disturbance, for instance where humans live, it will
stay in the denser areas and only come out into the open at night.
</P>
<h2>
4. Diet
</h2>
<P>
Nyalas browse as well as graze. Most of the time they eat the leaves of trees, herbs and shrubs,
but will eat grass just after the rains when it is newly sprouted and still soft and fresh. They also eat the fruit and flowers of many kinds of
trees and shrubs, among them the fruit of the <a href="http://www.h2g2.com/A448201">Nyala Tree</a> and the flowers of the <a href="http://www.h2g2.com/A446988">Baobab
Tree</a>. They also sometimes eat the bark of Baobab and other trees.
</P>
<H2>
5. Behavior
</H2>
<P>
Within their habitat Nyalas usually occur in small groups. There are many different kinds of groups. Rams usually roam around solitary, but sometimes
team up with other rams. They are not territorial, but will form dominance hierarchies within their range. Rams who roam in the same areas will display
towards each other. This display is meant to settle the question of who's the boss, with body size and strength, or at least the appearance of size and
strength, being the key determinant. It goes through stages, and it ends at any stage when one of the animals
backs down. First the white mane along the back is erected halfway. That's just a sign of acknowledgement. If the challenger approaches, the next stage is
an exaggerated mutual approach with the mane fully erected, the head held up high, and the animals stepping towards and around each other with high,
deliberate steps, sizing each other up, occasionally stopping to paw the ground. If it goes into the next stage, the head is lowered with the horns pointing forward, and the tail is lifted up over the back and spread
out to show its white underside.
</P>
<P>
<img src="http://www.fotango.com/p/eba00050359f00000001.jpg" align=right vspace=20 hspace=20 alt="Nyala Ram - Close Up">
That's the last stage of the show. If neither animal is intimidated by the other one by then, things get physical. They will go head to head, horn to
horn. Even then they will not deliberately try to hurt one another, but try to determine who's the strongest by battle. They will try to overpower and
tire each other out. Submission is signalled by a lowering of the dorsal mane, backing away, swaying the head from side to side and turning away from
the opponent. But should neither of the animals submit, it can go on to the death. This happens very rarely, but at least one incident has been noted
where one Nyala ram fatally gored another.
</P>
<P>
Fighting only happens under extreme circumstances, such as when two desperate rams simultaneously
converge on a willing ewe who's in estrus. At other times rams tolerate each other, casually forming small herds and later disbanding again,
meeting each other without
challenge or incident. Young rams, or 'bachelors', are more likely to form herds, while more mature, experienced rams usually go it alone.
On their part ewes also form groups - most often such a group is one or more ewes with her/their offspring. Sometimes rams join such ewe-groups for
a short time. Solitary ewes are also found, as are their solitary lams. Sometimes large numbers of Nyalas come together to form herds of 30 animals or
more. This usually happens when there's good food or water in open areas, and the Nyalas feel more secure in large numbers under such circumstances.
</P>
<P>
Nyalas prefer lush habitats with plentiful food and water where they do not need to travel very far or fast. Their home ranges are typically about one
quarter to one and a half square miles in extent.
</P>
<h2>
6. Reproduction
</h2>
<P>
There is no particular season during which Nyalas breed. The mating ritual is like this: whenever a ram encounters a ewe he will test whether she's in
estrus by smelling her v***a. If she is, he will press his forequarters against her hindquarters. She will move away indignantly. He will then follow
her and try to press his head between her rear legs. He will even shove her upwards so hard that her hind legs come off the ground. This can go on for 24
hours. Sometimes the ram is replaced by a more dominant ram. If the ewe stops playing hard to get the ram will move forwards and stand next to her.
From this position he'll lift his neck and put it over hers, pressing down. She goes down, he gets on top of her and they mate. When the ewe lowers her
head it is understood as a signal that she's willing. This leads to some confusion as a ewe taking a drink at a waterhole is sometimes surprised to suddenly
find a ram on her back!
</P>
<P>
Ewes come in estrus every nineteen days or so, unless they're carrying a fawn.
Only a single fawn,
mind you, and she carries it for about seven months and ten days. At birth the fawn weighs about ten pounds. She gives birth in a thicket and the fawn
stays hidden in the dense plant growth for the first two weeks of its life. When the fawn is disturbed by anything such as a noise or movement, it will
lower its head and lie flat on the ground, totally immobile, for many minutes, after which the threat is likely to have passed. Every day the ewe returns
to the fawn a few times to suckle and clean it.
</P>
<h2>
7. Enemies, Threats and Conservation
</h2>
<P>
Although Nyalas are only found over a small range, they can be quite plentiful in places and is currently not in any immediate danger. In fact, they have
benefited from human activity in some areas. When "slash and burn" agriculturists abandon lands, these are quickly colonized by fast-growing weeds that form excellent fodder for Nyalas.
They also feed on the herbs, shrubs and trees that infest areas that have been overgrazed by domestic stock. Nyalas are found in large
numbers and can easily be seen in numerous game
and nature reserves.
</P>
<h2>
8. Links
</h2>
<P>
For additional information about the Nyala check out this web-page:
<BR/>
<a href="http://www.ultimateungulate.com/nyala.html">Brent Huffman's Artiodactyla Page: The Nyala</a>
This site is wonderful for pictures and information about all kinds of hoofed mammals.
</P>
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</HTML
