ExploreMammals

Waterbuck

Name: Waterbuck video
Description: Waterbucks are large, graceful animals that live near water. They have long legs and a special coat that helps keep them cool in the sun.

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

Waterbucks are large, graceful animals that live near water. They have long legs and a special coat that helps keep them cool in the sun.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Waterbuck has a shaggy, greyish-brown coat that feels greasy to the touch. Males sport long, heavily ridged, spiraled horns. A defining feature is the prominent white ring encircling its rump, making it easily distinguishable.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderArtiodactylaFamilyBovidaeGenusKobus

Waterbuck

Interesting facts

Despite their name, Waterbucks don't actually drink much water, getting most from plants!

Only male Waterbucks grow impressive, ringed horns that can reach up to 100 cm long!

Their shaggy coat is super oily, making them water-repellent like a raincoat!

Waterbucks rub their unique scent on plants to mark their territory, leaving a secret message!

Special abilities

Waterbuck has special glands that secrete an oily, waterproof coating on its fur, helping it stay dry and buoyant in water.

Waterbuck's skin produces a foul-smelling oil that deters predators and makes its meat unappetizing.

Waterbuck can swim strongly and quickly, using rivers and lakes as escape routes from land predators.

Measurements & details

Length: 170-235 cm
Weight: 160-260 kg
Lifespan: 10-18 years
Top Speed: 80 km/h
Litter Size: 1
Gestation: 240-270 days

Watch

YouTube

Diet & Feeding

Waterbucks are plant-eaters who love munching on grasses and reeds found near water.

Primary Foods

grasses
reeds
sedges
aquatic plants
leaves

Foraging Method

Grazing

Ecological connections

eaten by

Lion

Panthera leo

Main predator in their African habitat, preying on adults and calves.

eaten by

Leopard

Panthera pardus

Often ambushes younger Waterbucks or smaller adults near cover.

eaten by

Spotted Hyaena

Crocuta crocuta

Hunts in packs, often targeting vulnerable or isolated individuals.

eaten by

African Wild Dog

Lycaon pictus

Highly efficient pack hunters that can run down and overpower Waterbucks.

Traits

Furry

Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Herbivorous

This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.