What is a Bongo
Published by A bongo is in fact an animal. Its a miss fit, it looks like a deer striped like a zebra, th the body shape of an antelope. Both male and female of this species have horns, which is unusual in its self…
The Bongo is also known as the Western Bongo or The Lowland Bongo, The Eastern Bongo or The Mountain Bongo. They fall under the Antelope family, and can be found in forest areas of Africa, they are one of the biggest forest antelope in Africa. There are more of these animals in captivity than there are in the wild. They are further clarified into two subspecies, they are known as the Western or Eastern bongo. You will only find these in the wild in Africa.
They inhabit Tropical Jungle areas and over grown areas, where the population is low. The Western Bongos population stretches through the western half of Africa, ranging from Angola through the Republic of Congo, up through Sudan and wide spread west from there. The only places you will find the Eastern Bongo are Liberia, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone. Togo and Sudan. These were as wide spread as the Western Bongo at one stage. But you have to remember that there are more Bongos in captivity than there are in the whole of Africa, regardless the Bongos differences.
Image via Wikipedia
Description of the Bongo
The Bongos body is a chestnut brown or auburn colour, with the neck, legs and chest a darker colour, it could even be black. The reason for this is its camouflage, as the sun shines through the overgrowth it reflects the light and it is easier for the Bongo to go un-noticed. The stripes on its body is to give the illusion that they are the grass. From a distance they are unrecognizable by their prey and are passed off as swaying grasses, or branches. They have 10-15 vertical stripes on their bodys from their necks to their rump, the lines on either side never match up, this is what distinguishes one from another like a finger print.
Bongos have two large horns that grow towards their backs, both the male and females have these. They grow in a spiral formation, as they grow they twist. The males horns are bigger and wider than the females and tend to grow in any direction, while the females are a lot slimmer and grow parallel to each other. The length of these horns are between 30-40 inches long. The horns are made from the same material as our finger and toe nails called keratin, our hair is also made from this substance. As they run these horns act as a shield from low branches and anything else that they might encounter running through the thick forests.
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On March 16, 2009 at 5:34 am
These are quite beautiful. Great article. I wonder what would result if they mated with stickmans jackalope?
On March 16, 2009 at 6:17 am
I reckon you are the dark horse. You write such indepth articles I think you will one day overtake RJ etc. Thanks for the write. j
ps. Pump up the friends, share it get all your work out there and you will hit the top of the hot content list. For sure. j
On March 16, 2009 at 11:46 am
I agree with James, your articles are always fascinating and varied and I very rarely fail to learn something. This is another great one.
On March 16, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Beautiful animals, they have always been one of my favorites. I would like to have one, but its too cold here.
On March 16, 2009 at 8:07 pm
They are so beautiful- how sad that human vanity/greed thinks we have the right to kill them for their hide.
Fix your description (zedbra = zebra, and th the) and you will have an excellent article.
On March 17, 2009 at 8:28 am
never heard of that… thanks for this…
On March 18, 2009 at 4:59 am
Another unique and beautiful animal. I learn something new today.
On March 19, 2009 at 11:47 am
I would really like to see elephants with the same pattern on them.