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

References and further reading

Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 183

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

Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 120

What Antelope is That? - Author: Paul Rose - Published: 1967 - Page: 61

The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 38

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 332

The Natal Bushveld - Volume 2 - Author: Natal Parks Board - Published: 1981 - Page: 29

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 58

South African Animals in the Wild - Author: Anthony Bannister - Published: 1985 - Page: 24

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maberly s Mammals of Southern Africa - Revised edition - Author: Richard Goss - Published: 1986 - Page: 330

KwaZulu-Natal - A celebration of biodiversity - Author: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife - Published: 2002 - Page: 120

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

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

Getaway Guide to the Kruger National Park - Author: Cameron Ewart-Smith - Published: 2005 - Page: 193

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 416

Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 48

Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 40

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 77

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

A Field Guide to the Mammals of Africa including Madagascar - Author: Theodor Haltenorth and Helmut Diller - Published: 1980 - Page: 72

African Wildlife Foundation

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List of South African Mammals