Nyala

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Artiodactyla

Family: Bovidae

Genus: Tragelaphus

Species: T. angasii

Conservation Status

Nyalas are medium-sized antelope with tan, white, or dark brown fur. Most adults measure about 50 to 77 inches tall. Females are smaller than males and weigh from 120 to 150 pounds, while males weigh anywhere from 215 to 276 pounds!

Male adults have dark brown fur with white stripes on their backs and grow spiral horns that can measure up to 33 inches long! Females remain a tan color with white stripes their entire life. The average life expectancy for nyalas is about 19 years.

Nyalas are native to southern Africa and live in countries like Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, and Namibia. Nyalas live primarily in woodlands with plenty of grasses and vegetation to browse. They also live where there is water present, near rivers and lakes, for easy access to drinking water. Although different subspecies of Nyalas live in different parts of Africa, for the most part, they all live in or near South Africa.

Nyalas are herbivores and mostly eat twigs, flowers, fruits, grasses, and foliage from shrubs and trees. Nyalas eat in the early morning and late afternoon, and eat at night during the rainy season. They choose to browse during certain times of the day due to the hot temperatures and browse usually when it is anywhere from 68 to 86°F. Nyalas are both grazers and browsers, meaning they eat grass and low-lying vegetation, as well as fruits and leaves.

Nyala’s mating season lasts the entire year but tends to increase during spring and fall. Females reach sexual maturity at about a year old and males reach it at around 18 months. Male nyalas will fight over dominance during mating and the winner will enter a female’s herd, showing off to attract a mate.

After about 7 months, a single calf is born, usually in thick vegetation away from danger. Females hide the calf for around 2 weeks. The calf remains with the mother until the next calf is born, typically lasting about 9 months.

Nyalas are rather shy animals. They are not very aggressive and are non-territorial. Most territories overlap yet there have been no signs of aggression recorded because of it. Young calves, no matter the gender, look the same. As males grow older, their coats become darker and they grow horns. The young males’ female-looking coat protects them against jealous, dominant older males.

Nyalas have amazing hearing, smell, and sight, all of which give them an advantage in spotting danger. Once danger is spotted, nyalas let out an alarm call to warn the rest of the herd.