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.

References and further reading

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

Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 151

What Antelope is That? - Author: Paul Rose - Published: 1967 - Page: 59

Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 132

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 331

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 54

The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 74

South African Animals in the Wild - Author: Anthony Bannister - Published: 1985 - Page: 27

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

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

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

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

Maberlys Mammals of Southern Africa - Revised edition - Author: Richard Goss - Published: 1986 - Page: 249

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

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

go! - Kruger Special Edition - Author: - Published: 2011 - Page: 39

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 415

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

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

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

Chris and Tilde Stuarts Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edit - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 210

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

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

A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 79

A Field Guide to the Mammals of Africa including Madagascar - Author: Theodor Haltenorth and Helmut Diller - Published: 1980 - Page: 81

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List of South African Mammals