The waterbuck, a striking antelope native to sub-Saharan Africa, is an animal deeply connected to its aquatic surroundings. Its name itself highlights this close relationship, as these robust creatures are rarely found far from water sources.
Defining the Waterbuck
The waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) is a large, robust antelope with a shaggy coat. Its coarse hair ranges from reddish-brown to grey, often darkening with age, and is long and shaggy around the neck. A distinguishing feature is the prominent white ring or crescent marking on its rump, which varies between subspecies. Adult males are larger than females, weighing between 198-262 kg, while females weigh 161-214 kg.
Only male waterbucks possess spiraled horns that curve backward and then forward, ranging in length from 55 to 99 cm. These horns are ringed. The species is broadly divided into two main varieties: the Common Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus ellipsiprymnus) and the Defassa Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa). The primary difference lies in the white rump marking: the Common Waterbuck has a hollow white ring, whereas the Defassa Waterbuck features a solid white patch.
Habitat and Range
Waterbucks are widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, inhabiting savanna grasslands, scrub, and woodlands. Their geographical distribution stretches from Senegal in the west to Eritrea in the east, and south through countries like Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, and parts of the Congo for the Defassa Waterbuck. The Common Waterbuck is found in eastern Africa, extending from Kenya and southern Somalia down to South Africa.
Their strong dependence on water is reflected in their chosen habitats. They are almost exclusively found in areas close to permanent water sources, including rivers, lakes, and swamps. These aquatic environments are crucial for their survival, providing not only essential hydration but also serving as a refuge from predators. Their inability to tolerate dehydration necessitates constant proximity to water.
Unique Behaviors and Adaptations
Waterbucks are primarily grazers, with grasses making up 70% to 95% of their diet. They consume grasses and may browse on leaves from trees and bushes. These social animals live in herds that can range from six to thirty individuals, including nursery herds of females and their offspring, as well as bachelor herds composed of young males. Male waterbucks establish and defend territories, particularly those with access to water and abundant food, to attract females.
When threatened by terrestrial predators like lions or wild dogs, waterbucks flee directly into water. They are capable swimmers and submerge themselves, leaving only their nostrils exposed to breathe, to evade danger.
The waterbuckâs shaggy coat is equipped with specialized sebaceous glands that secrete a greasy, musky substance. This oily secretion serves a dual purpose: it acts as a natural waterproofing agent for their fur, enabling their semi-aquatic lifestyle, and it produces a distinctive odor. While this strong scent has led to myths about predators avoiding their meat, large predators do still hunt waterbucks. The hollow structure of their hair also contributes to their buoyancy in water.