Nyala - Definition and Overview

Nyala
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae Genus: Tragelaphus Species: angasii
Binomial name
Tragelaphus angasii (Gray, 1849)

The Nyala (Tragelaphus angasii) is a South African antelope. The male stands up to 3.5 feet (110 cm), the female is up to 3 feet tall. The male has loosely spiraled horns and a long fringe on throat and underparts, the female has no horns and no noticeable fringe. The male is dark brown, white on the face and neck, and vertical white stripes on the body. The female is reddish brown with clear striping. Nyalas live alone or in small groups in forests.

The scientific name is after the English artist and naturalist, George French Angas (1822-1886).

The rare Mountain Nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) of central Ethiopia is grayish brown.

See also Nyala, Sudan for the city in Sudan.