Waterbuck (Kobus Ellipsiprymnus) is a mammal, antelope, at the order of Artiodactyla and family Bovidae.
Shoulder height – 0.9m – 1.3m
Weight – 150 – 250kg
Life expectancy – 15 years
Gestation period – 8.5 – 9 months
Number of offspring – 1, rarely 2
The Waterbuck is a large, robust, stately and easily recognized antelope. They have coarse, shaggy coats. Their coats are a greyish brown and their legs are darker in colour. They have white muzzle and a cream-coloured “bib” on the throat. The most conspicuous feature of the Waterbuck is the white ring that surrounds the base of the tail on the rump.
They have numerous glands all over their bodies which produce a turpentine-like odour that is believed to have a waterproofing and insect repelling function. Male Waterbuck have impressive backward curving horns which are heavily ridged. Females do not have horns. They have large rounded ears.
Waterbuck are most active in the mornings and late afternoons. They are intolerant of dehydration and therefore one would usually found them within 1 – 2km from water. One would normally find them in long grass areas or on savannah plains. Waterbuck associate freely with other antelope. Their diet consist of 80% grasses and 20% reeds or leaves from trees and shrubs. The normally feed on coarse grasses that are seldom eaten by other grazing animals. They wade into swallow water when drinking and are known to seek sanctuary in deeper water when pursued by predators. They are also very good swimmers.
They are usually found in breeding herds of 6 – 20, led by a territorial bull. Females leave the herd and move to thick cover to give birth. Births are normally in April and November. The calves remain hidden for 3 weeks, with the mother returning to the hiding spot 3 – 4 times a day to suckle it. After joining the herd the young follow their mother, who raises her tail as a “follow me” signal. The calves are weaned in 6-7 months. Females mate again soon after giving birth.
Author - Jaco van Staden
