Waterbuck

Afrikaans name: Waterbok

Male Waterbuck

Photo © Steven Herbert

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

Interesting facts about Waterbuck

The Waterbuck's most distinctive feature is the white ring on the rump. Both sexes show this feature. Males are bigger than females and have horns. Male Waterbuck weigh between 200 and 300 kg and are up to 1.4 metres high at the shoulder.

Waterbuck, as their name suggests, are normally found near water but they may also be seen far from water. I have seen them on the higher slopes of the hills in iMfolozi Game Reserve seemingly miles from the closest water.

The meat of a Waterbuck is apparently quite smelly yet still safe to eat.

Their main food is grass. Waterbuck are normally seen in small groups to small herds.

Photo © Steven Herbert

Above - A male Waterbuck with magnificent horns

Below - A female Waterbuck

Photo © Steven Herbert

Photo © Steven Herbert

Above - A female Waterbuck is followed by her baby in Kruger National Park

Below - A male Waterbuck

Photo © Steven Herbert

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References and further reading

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 52

An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 296

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 18

Chris and Tilde Stuart's Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 196

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Year Published: 2004 - Page: 171

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 1997 - Page: 134

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 2001 - Page: 196

Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 141

Kruger National Park Questions and Answers - Author: P.F. Fourie - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 132

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 202

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillier - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 149

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Year Published: 1980 - Page: 112

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Year Published: 1990 - Page: 2

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Year Published: 1990 - Page: 19

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 416

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 205

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Year Published: 1996 - Page: 188

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 228

List of South African Mammals