waterbuck
Sign in to saveThe waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) is a large antelope found widely in sub-Saharan Africa. It is in the genus Kobus of the family Bovidae. It was first described by Irish naturalist William Ogilby in 1833. Its 13 subspecies are grouped under two varieties: the common or ellipsiprymnus waterbuck and the defassa waterbuck. Their coat colour varies from brown to grey. The long, spiral horns, present only on males, curve backward, then forward, and are long.
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The waterbuck is a large African antelope found across sub-Saharan Africa, distinguished by males' long spiral horns that curve backward then forward, with coat colors ranging from brown to grey. It belongs to the genus Kobus within the cattle family and includes 13 subspecies divided into two main varieties: the common waterbuck and the defassa waterbuck.
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Species
Least ConcernMaximum longevity: 30 years (captivity) Observations: One wild born specimen was about 30 years old when it died in captivity (Richard Weigl 2005).
via IUCN
Article
13 sectionsContents
- Taxonomy and etymology
- Evolution
- Subspecies
- Description
- Ecology and behaviour
- Diseases and parasites
- Diet
- Reproduction
- Distribution and habitat
- Threats and conservation
- Research
- References
- External links
The waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) is a large antelope found widely in sub-Saharan Africa. It is in the genus Kobus of the family Bovidae. It was first described by Irish naturalist William Ogilby in 1833. Its 13 subspecies are grouped under two varieties: the common or ellipsiprymnus waterbuck and the defassa waterbuck. Their coat colour varies from brown to grey. The long, spiral horns, present only on males, curve backward, then forward, and are long.
Waterbucks are rather sedentary in nature. As gregarious animals, they may form herds consisting of six to thirty individuals. These groups are either nursery herds with females and their offspring or bachelor herds. Males start showing territorial behaviour from the age of five years, but are most dominant from six to nine. The waterbuck cannot tolerate dehydration in hot weather, and thus inhabits areas close to sources of water. Predominantly a grazer, the waterbuck is mostly found on grassland. In equatorial regions, breeding takes place throughout the year, but births are at their peak in the rainy season. The gestational period lasts 7–8 months, followed by the birth of a single calf.