Eastern Bongo

Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci

Central Kenya – forests Diet: Herbivore – leaves, shrubs, bushes, rotting bark, grasses, herbs, roots, cereals, fruits

Scientific name: Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci

IUCN status: Endangered

Habitat: Central Kenya – forests

Diet: Herbivore – leaves, shrubs, bushes, rotting bark, grasses, herbs, roots, cereals, fruits

Gila (pronounced ‘heeler’) monsters are named after the Gila River Basin, Arizona. Heavy and slow-moving, they are America’s most venomous lizards. Unlike snakes which use hollow upper fangs to inject venom, Gila monsters secrete venom through grooves in lower jaw teeth; this mixes with saliva and gets into the victim’s bloodstream as it is chewed. There are no confirmed reports that the venom is fatal to humans.

Did you know?
Unlike most other antelope species, both male and female adult bongo have horns.