# Waterbuck (*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.

- **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate
- **Habitat:** Wetlands
- **Also known as:** Waterbuck Antelope

![Waterbuck](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425908/objects/1907.jpg)

## 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.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Artiodactyla
- **Family:** Bovidae
- **Genus:** Kobus

## 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

- **Greasy Guard:** Waterbuck has special glands that secrete an oily, waterproof coating on its fur, helping it stay dry and buoyant in water.
- **Stinky Shield:** Waterbuck's skin produces a foul-smelling oil that deters predators and makes its meat unappetizing.
- **River Runner:** 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
- **Speed:** 80 km/h
- **Litter Size:** 1
- **Gestation:** 240-270 days

## 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/african-wild-dog) (*Lycaon pictus*) — Highly efficient pack hunters that can run down and overpower Waterbucks.

## Traits

- [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
- [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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.
- [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.

## Collections

- [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals)

## Safety

**Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate

Always watch from a distance and do not approach wild animals.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Waterbuck?

Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Waterbuck?

170-235 cm

### How much does Waterbuck weigh?

160-260 kg

### How long does Waterbuck live?

10-18 years

### How fast can Waterbuck move?

80 km/h

### What does Waterbuck eat?

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

### Where is Waterbuck usually found?

Wetlands

### How does Waterbuck hunt?

Grazing

## Watch

- [Play video: Waterbuck](https://www.snappit.app/videos/waterbuck)
- [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=d6X7dwZuHu4)

## More Mammals

- [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*)
- [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*)
- [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*)
- [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*)

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Source: [Waterbuck: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/waterbuck)