In Touch With Nature – Nyala antelope #southernAfricanwildlife
Posted: March 26, 2025 Filed under: Africa, Animals, In Touch With Nature, Nature, Wildlife | Tags: In Touch With Nature, Nyala Antelope, Robbie Cheadle, South Africa, Writing to be Read 88 Comments
The Nyala is a spiral horned antelope native to southern Africa. It is the antelope with the highest sexual dimorphism (differences between male and female of the species). This is easy to see in the photographs and videos I’ve shared in this post so look out for the rusty or rufous brown coats of the females and juveniles and the dark brown or slate grey coat of adult males. Females and juveniles also have ten or more white vertical stripes on their sides which the stripes are greatly reduced or completely absent in the adult males. The males are significantly larger than the females.
The Nyala is a shy animal and is usually seen in the early morning and the late afternoon when it browses, feeding on foliage, fruits, and grasses. They live in thickets within dense and dry savannah woodlands and are usually found in single-sex or mixed family groups of up to ten animals. These antelope are not fast runners, and their camouflage is their main defense against predators.
The main predators of the Nyala are lions, leopards, African wild dogs, and humans. The males are highly prized as game animals, and they are often victims of poaching. Human settlement is also encroaching on their habitat resulting in a declining population although they are classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Nyalas have a special relationship with the baboons and vervet monkeys with whom they share the woodlands. They eat any fruit dropped by these primates and also react to any alarm calls made by primates from their advantageous viewing points in the trees. The baboons and monkeys also benefit from the relationship as Nyala have exceptional hearing, smell, and sight. When a Nyala spots danger, it gives off a striking alarm call sounding a bit like a barking dog. This warning also serves the primates and other creatures sharing their habitat.
Interestingly, Nyalas are not territorial. They wander about in groups and do not try to protect any areas from other creatures.
Nyala buck have an aggressive way of breeding. Firstly, the males fight for dominance, crashing into each other with their sharp horns acting like swords. The horns often draw blood. The bulls fight until one backs down by walking away as a sign of submission. These battles can be fatal if the wounds become infected or if the bull is concussed. The winning bull then slowly dances within the group of females, using strange, stuttering movements and raising its head to show off its white underfur.
When a female is on heat, the male follows her on foot, pushing his nose between her legs. He gets excited and buts her hindquarters right off the ground. If the female is interested, she stops walking. The male then walks around her and presses her head down before he mounts her. Gestation is 220 days and ewes can conceive from the age of 14 months.
YouTube video of Nyala herd comprising of young males and females:
Male Nyala licking his legs YT video:
YT video of a Nyala male feeding:
The Fire Part 1
Flamboyant performer
Sun takes final bow
Pitch black curtains descend; concealing the stage
Campers assemble fire
Restraining darkness
***
Wood ignites, flames crackle
Illuminating
Nocturnal animals materialise
Skulking in deep shadow
Bright eyes glittering
***
Feeding ravenous blaze
An essential task
Stopping potential diners from helping themselves
To a convenient
Snack of arms or legs
The Fire Part 2
Dawn makes her grand entrance
Painting the sky red
Men prepare to depart, water smothers fire
Murky vapour billows
Dark ashes sodden
***
Everything orderly
The campers move on
Single flickering coal smolders unnoticed
Mutely clinging to life
Nurtured by the breeze
***
Dry leaves fall stealthily
Embracing ember
Sustenance provided; leaves burst into flame
Cunningly building strength
Destruction ensured
These poem duo is from my book, Lion Scream, Syllabic Poetry About Southern African Wildlife, available from Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Lion-Scream-Syllabic-Southern-Wildlife-ebook/dp/B0BXP5N766
About Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Roberta Eaton Cheadle, is a South African writer and poet specialising in historical, paranormal, and horror novels and short stories. She is an avid reader in these genres and her writing has been influenced by famous authors including Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe, Amor Towles, Stephen Crane, Enrich Maria Remarque, George Orwell, Stephen King, and Colleen McCullough.
Roberta has two published novels and a collection of short stories and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories included in several anthologies. She is also a contributor to the Ask the Authors 2022 (WordCrafter Writing Reference series).
Roberta is also the author and illustrator of sixteen children’s books, illustrator to a further three children’s books, and the author and illustrator of three poetry books published under the name of Robbie Cheadle, and has poems and short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
Roberta’s blog features discussions about classic books, book reviews, poetry, and photography. https://roberta-writes.com/.
Find Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Blog: https://wordpress.com/view/robertawrites235681907.wordpress.com
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/robbiecheadle.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertawrites
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Roberta-Eaton-Cheadle/e/B08RSNJQZ5
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This segment of “In Touch with Nature” is sponsored by the Midnight Anthology Series and WordCrafter Press.
Midnight Roost: Weird and Creepy Stories: 20 authors bring your nightmares to life in 23 stories of ghosts, paranormal phenomenon and the horror from the dark crevasses of their minds. Stories of stalkers, both human and supernatural, possession and occult rituals, alien visitations of the strange kind, and ghostly tales that will give you goosebumps. These are the tales that will make you fear the dark. Read them at the Midnight Roost… if you dare. https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Roost-Kaye-Lynne-Booth-ebook/dp/B0CL6FPLVJ
Midnight Garden: Where Dark Tales Grow: 17 authors bring you 21 magnificent dark tales. Stories of magic, monsters and mayhem. Tales of murder and madness which will make your skin crawl. These are the tales that explore your darkest fears. Read them in the Midnight Garden… if you dare. https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Garden-Where-Tales-Anthology-ebook/dp/B0DJNDQJD3
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Wow Robbie what a wonderful post.
As always wirh so much information.
Those stripes look like someone has drizzled icing sugar on them.
Loved your poems and the videos too.
Thanks so much for sharing my birth country with me.
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HI Maggie, I am so pleased you enjoy learning about southern African wildlife. Thank you
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Hi Robbie
I do, very much.
Thank you my friend.
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🪻💜
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I wonder what Nature saw in the stripes. They almost look like dry stalks of grass. I was looking for striped animals to explain the stripes on my Neanderthals. Too bad Nyala are native to Africa.
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The nyala live in wooded areas so the stripes work.
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Amazing animals. I suppose the stripes are used as camouflage. Thanks for the information.
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Thanks, Darlene. The stripes are camouflage among the trees.
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Nature is so amazing!!
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Yes!
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Great photos and interesting information about these Nyala antelopes. Thanks Robbie.
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Hi Brad, they are amazing creatures. Thanks for visiting.
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Fascinating antelope-ian information and photos, Robbie!
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Thank you, Dave 🤗
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As always a brilliant post Robbie and thank you for the wonderful photos and the descriptions. Fabulous and thanks Kaye Lynne for hosting.
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This is my favorite series of Robbieâs.
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It is brilliant Patty hugs
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Thank you, Pattty
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Thank you, Sally
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I wish Robbie were here, she could do a piece on these geese and maybe be quick enough to capture them in a photo.
Right this minute there are, according to a friend of mine about 25 of them outside our window.
I love nature and Robbie has made it possible for me to learn so much.
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At least geese keep others away from the house Patty, noisy but great guard dogs… and Robbie has taught all of us much about wildlife and Africa.. hugsx
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Oh, not to take away from Robbieâs post, but I love observing the geese and ducks here.
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We are not as exotic as Robbie either Patty and our starlings and other birds give us great pleasure too. hugs
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Hi Sally, I enjoy our garden birds too. I have several that have lived in my garden for generations now. The hadedas have bred here for 15 years.
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That is wonderful Robbie, your hadedas are wonderful…♥
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They are noisy. 😉
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Hi Patty, I am pleased you enjoy these posts. I took a video of a goose once. He was so cute doing a little goose dance down the road.
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Thanks for visiting and commenting, Sally. ☺️💜
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Hi Sally, I am so pleased you enjoyed the Nyasaland. They are so beautiful.
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[…] https://writingtoberead.com/2025/03/26/in-touch-with-nature-nyala-antelope-southernafricanwildlife/ […]
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Thank you, Patty. 💜
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🌷🩷
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You could have been a zoologist, what with your enjoyment of sharing nature’s beasts with us. I am always enthralled with how you present the information, and grateful. This post is no exception. Thank you, Robbie!
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Hi Annette, I never knew about such exotic careers. If I had known, I may have chosen differently.
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This was fascinating, Robbie. I didn’t know anything about them, they are beautiful creatures. Xo
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Hi Denise, I think they are gorgeous. I do like antelope. Thanks for visiting.
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A wonderful poem, information and photos. Well done, Robbie, and great to see her on here 🥰
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Hi Esther, I so pleased you enjoyed these beautiful antelope.
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As always, with these posts, I learned something, Robbie. Fascinating creatures. Love both poems showing opposites. Well done!
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I’m glad you enjoyed these lovely antelope, Jan, and the poems. 🌸
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I haven’t heard of Nyalas, maybe they will crop up in a crossword clue. I love the yellow socks. Good news that they cooperate with other animals.
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Hi Janet, they are beautiful antelope and who knows, they may crop up in a crossword. I haven’t done one of those for years.
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What a beautiful antelope, Robbie. I always enjoy learning about the animals in your neck of the woods. Your “Fire” poems are stunning!
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Hi Colleen, thank you, I’m so pleased you enjoyed this post 💜🪻
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Such an interesting post. They are fascinating creatures. The females’ white stripes look like icing to me. 😊
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Hi Merril, your comment about the stripes made me smile. They are like the dough crosses I put on Easter buns. These are lovely antelope.
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😊
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Such beautiful animals. And such a shame that we are not taking better care to ensure their survival. Thanks for all the information, as always. (K)
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My pleasure, Kerfe. I love sharing about southern African animals. I hope my posts, poems and paintings help raise awareness of their plight.
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They seem like such beautiful and gentle animals. Love your videos, Robbie.
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HI CArla, I am delighted ot know that. Thank you.
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Fascinating information! I loved the photos and videos. Let your poem serve as a warning to careless campers! It doesn’t take much to spark a wildfire.
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Hi Liz, it really doesn’t especially when it is hot and dry with a light wind. Thank you for your support and comment.
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You’re welcome, Robbie.
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Fabulous post!
What a beautiful creature this is. “Least concern”? That sounds like a precarious definition.
Love this series. Thank you so much, Robbie & Kaye Lynne!
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Hi Resa, my intention with my rewrite of Dante’s Inferno is to explore and explain each of these categories by the IUCN. There just happen to be nine which worked well for me. Least concern means that it’s not as badly off as some other creatures like the black rhino which is on the red list. There are also creatures that are already extinct.
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So interesting.You go!
Robbie’s Inferno
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Gaia’s Redemption is my working title now.
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Very Cool!
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😁💗
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The Nyala antelope is a gorgeous creature. I always look forward to Robbie’s nature posts. Love the poems too! 🙂
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Hi Kay, it’s lovely to see you. I am pleased you like the Nyala. I think they are very beautiful animals.
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You’re welcome Robbie.
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They are beautiful animals. I admire their horns. (But they look much better on the nyala than someone’s wall!)
I love the two poems, too.
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Wow, Nyalas are such fascinating animals! I had no idea about their unique relationships with baboons and monkeys or how dramatic their mating rituals are—horn fights and dance moves? Wild. This was such an interesting read, especially while I’m stuck waiting for the carpet cleaners to finish. Learned something new while being productive(ish)!
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Wonderful photos and information Robbie, And the Ewes I suppose need to conceive early in their years to enable them to keep surviving.
All your poems are wonderful…
Have a lovely weekend Robbie xx ❤
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HI Sue, I am delighted to know you enjoyed this post and the accompanying poems. Thank you.
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😍🥰😍
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🙏🦋🩵
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Great photos!
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Thank you, Chris
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Fascinating information and excellent post in every way, Robbie and Kaye Lynne! Loved the photos and wonderful poems too! Nature is so amazing!
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Thanks for visiting, Lauren. It is good to see you here. Robbie always makes it well worth coming by with her beautiful and informative posts. 🙂
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🥰🌷
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Hi Lauren, nature is amazing and I’m delighted you enjoyed this post.
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[…] In Touch With Nature – Nyala antelope #southernAfricanwildlife […]
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Robbie, what a wonderful post. I love your poetry.
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Thank you, Brenda 🧡
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Thanks for this amazing share about about these unique animals. Beautiful pictures and accompanying poetry Robbie. ❤
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My pleasure, Debbie
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Thanks for sharing all your knowledge, the videos, and the poems. You have so many wonderful interests and talents, Robbie! Enjoy the coming week!
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HI Olga, I’m glad you enjoyed the Nyala. I hope your new week is also a good once.
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I enjoyed learning about the Nyala antelope, Robbie. That’s so interesting how they and the baboons and vervet monkeys have a cooperative relationship. And I’m sorry to hear that these animals are killed for no reason other than human ego. Ugh. Excellent poems about wildfires and how easily they begin when humans are careless. Thanks for sharing and thanks to Kaye Lynne for hosting.
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❤
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HI Diana, I am always delighted when readers enjoy this particular series. Our animals are so amazing.
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I would love to travel one day to see them in person. It would be a highlight of my life.
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That would be wonderful.
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I love the poetry and the photos!
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