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WATERBUCK (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) are robust heavily built
antelope with a distinctive smell. They are found in Botswana, South Africa,
Mozambique and Zimbabwe. They can be found in open woodland and grassland as well
as vlei or
marsh areas. They feed on coarse grass and sometimes on reeds.
As their name suggests Waterbuck are often found near some form of permanent water and
they
make use of this water when pursued by predators, often right up to their
necks.
Waterbuck exhibit much less fear of crocodiles then most other antelope,
although
crocodiles do prey on Waterbuck. Waterbuck are one of the few
animals that
feed on the coarse reedy growth in vleis, where the soil is highly
mineralized.
They can be broken down into bachelor and breeding herds with territorial
males.
The males will join into a bachelor herd once their mothers have their
next calf and
the males are subject to the hierarchy. They will compete with
Nyala and Impala.
Males will establish their territories within the home ranges of females.
They fall prey to mainly Lion and some Wild Dog, Hyaena, Leopard,
Crocodile
and a small percentage of Cheetah. Some of the young fall victim to
python. |
