Sitatunga

This little antelope with its brown coat, streaked with thin white stripes and with a white crescent on its chest, lives in the great marshy forests of Central and East Africa. Only the male has horns.

The Sitatunga needs water to protect itself because, in the event of danger, it completely immerses itself and only allows its nostrils to be visible above the surface. This behaviour seems to be innate rather than learnt because it is seen in young Sitatungas born in captivity which could not have learned this defence tactic from their mothers.

Conversely, when it’s a crocodile that approaches, it leaps on to the bank and runs away. At the end of its slender legs, the Sitatunga has two cloven hooves, which clearly shows its adaptation to a marshy environment because this is the antelope which moves the most quickly in water. It is also an excellent swimmer and diver.