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The bongo, Boocercus eurycerus, is a large
antelope that lives in dense, cool, humid mountain forests
of central Africa from Kenya to Sierra Leone. It is classified
in the family Bovidae, order Artiodactyla. The male stands
about 140 cm (4.5 ft) tall at the shoulder, is about 180 cm
(6 ft) long, and weighs up to 220 kg (485 lb); the female
is smaller. Both sexes have backward-sloping, single-spiral
horns that are usually a bit more than 80 cm (31 in) long.
The ears are large, and a short mane runs from shoulder to
rump. The bright reddish brown coat is marked with 11 or 12
vertical white stripes on each side; white markings also appear
on the face, breast, and legs. The tail tuft is maroon or
black. Bongos travel in groups of up to about 20 individuals,
rather than gathering in herds. They are shy, swift animals
that browse on leaves and roots, rearing at times with forelegs
against a tree to reach higher branches. They move farther
up the mountain slopes during the dry season, then farther
down the mountain during the rainy season.
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