Bongo

tragelaphus eurycerus

Bongo

About Me

Scientific Name: Tragelaphus eurycerus

Description

Bongo are some of the largest antelope species alive, with females averaging 500 pounds and males almost 900. Both genders sport a rich chestnut coat that darkens with age in the males, as well as 10-15 vertical stripes on their torso. The horns on males grow larger and wider than the females.

Fun Facts
  • When running, they will line their horns parallel to the backs of the necks to avoid entangling them in branches.
  • Vulnerable newborns are left to hide still in tall grass to avoid predators, and the mother returns regularly to nurse them.
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Artiodactyla

Bongo are some of the largest antelope species alive, with females averaging 500 pounds and males almost 900. Both genders sport a rich chestnut coat that darkens with age in the males, as well as 10-15 vertical stripes on their torso. The horns on males grow larger and wider than the females.

Bongos are herbivores, and enjoy a diet of leaves, shoots, and grasses. At the zoo they are given browse, along with hay, vitamin pellets, and treats of fruits and vegetables.

Two subspecies of Bongo exist: one in Central Africa, and the other on the southern portion of Western Africa. Both are primarily forest dwelling, and favor dense jungles.

Bongo are most active at dawn and dusk, and often forage near the edges of wooded areas. They normally shy in the wild and flee into the forest for cover at the slightest provocation. When running, they will line their horns parallel to the backs of the necks to avoid entangling them in branches.

A single calf is born after a period of 9 months, and mothers nurse their young for half a year. Vulnerable newborns are left to hide still in tall grass to avoid predators, and the mother returns regularly to nurse them. At 20 months old, the Bongo reaches maturity and in captivity, they have an approximate lifespan of 19 years.

Both subspecies of Bongo are on the decline, with the Western/Lowland Bongo being considered Near Threatened, and the Eastern/Mountain Bongo to be Critically Endangered. Their primary threats include habitat fragmentation, as well as overhunting by humans for bushmeat and trophies.

Our Bongos, Cory and Topenga. They share the Watering Hole exhibit with the Zoo’s storks, Crowned Cranes, Sacred Ibis, and Louis the Pelican.

Tragelaphus eurycerus . (n.d.). Retrieved January 12, 2017, from http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22047/0

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