Tsessebe

Afrikaans name: Basterhartbees

A Tsessebe covered in mud

Photo © EcoView - Fotolia.com

Damaliscus lunatus

Interesting facts about Tsessebe

In South Africa we call this antelope the Tsessebe but in some places it is called the Sassaby or Common Tsessebe.

Nowadays Tsessebe are only found in southern Africa but historically they were in East Africa as well.

An adult male can weigh over 130 kg's. Females are a bit smaller. Both sexes have horns although the male's horns are slightly longer. The length of a males horns plays a role in attracting females and in defense of his territory.

Females form herds with their young while the males are typically found in bachelor herds. Territorial males establish territories.

Tsessebe are normally found in grasslands and savanna. They are one of the less common of the antelopes and their numbers seem to be declining.

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References and further reading

An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 223

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 21

Chris and Tilde Stuart's Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 210

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 1997 - Page: 152

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 2001 - Page: 210

Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 117

Kruger National Park Questions and Answers - Author: P.F. Fourie - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 135

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 164

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillier - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 97

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Year Published: 1980 - Page: 124

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 415

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 191

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Year Published: 1996 - Page: 176

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 234

List of South African Mammals