Waterbuck
Latin Name
Kobus ellipsiprymnus
Class
Mammals
Order
Artiodactyla
Description
Kobus ellipsiprymnus
Class
Mammals
Order
Artiodactyla
Description
As large, powerful antelope, waterbuck can weigh nearly 700 pounds. Males sport horns atop their heads, which they employ in skirmishes with other males over territory and breeding rights. A majestic set of headgear also impresses female waterbucks, which have no need to fight, thus no need for horns.
Range
Status
Habitat
Niche
Life History
Special Adaptations
Waterbucks can be found from Kenya to South Africa, west of the Rift Valley.
Status
Waterbuck are abundant in their wild habitats.
Habitat
These foragers occupy savannas, woodlands and grasslands with a permanent water source.
Niche
Waterbucks eat a variety of protein-rich grasses. When grass is sparse, they will eat herbs. They are preyed upon by crocodiles and cheetahs.
Life History
Waterbucks are diurnal (active during the day). While males are usually solitary except during breeding periods, females gather in herds that can reach into the hundreds. Usually one calf is born at a time.
Special Adaptations
One useful adaption waterbucks have to their wet lifestyle is the pungent, oily secretion in their coats serves as waterproofing.
As their name implies, waterbucks are reliant on water—they get dehydrated more easily than other antelope species and they escape predators by running into rivers or lakes. As such, waterbucks’ territory in the wild is limited to areas within a few miles of water.
ARKive Media
 |  |  |
ARKive is creating the ultimate multimedia guide to the world's endangered species.
Visit ARKive for thousands more films, photos and fact-files!
