Bongo (antelope) - Appearance

Appearance

Bongos are one of the largest of the forest antelopes. In addition to the deep chestnut colour of their coats, they have bright white stripes on their sides to help camouflage them from their enemies.

Adults of both sexes are similar in size. Adult height is about 1.1 to 1.3 m (3.6 to 4.3 ft) at the shoulder and length is 2.15 to 3.15 m (7.1 to 10.3 ft), including a tail of 45–65 cm (18–26 in). Females weigh approximately 150–235 kg (330–520 lb), while males weigh approximately 220–405 kg (490–890 lb). Its large size puts it as the third largest in the Bovidae tribe of Strepsicerotini; behind both the Common and Greater Eland by about 300 kg (660 lb), and above the Greater Kudu by about 40 kg (88 lb).

Both sexes have heavy spiral horns—those of the male are longer and more massive. All bongos in captivity are from the isolated Aberdare Mountains of central Kenya.

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