Southern Reedbuck
Redunca arundinum
Medium antelope in wetlands and grasslands, feeding on tender grasses and reeds.
| Scientific name | Redunca arundinum |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Mbuzi wa nyasi |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Size | Male: weight approximately 35-50 kg, body length approximately 110-130 cm; female: weight approximately 30-40 kg, body length slightly smaller than male |
How to identify
Medium-sized body, coat color brownish-yellow with pale white markings; males have short horns curved backwards, females are hornless; tail short with a distinct white tip; face has white stripes; legs are slender and long.
Habitat
Wetlands, reed beds, river valleys, open savannas with scattered trees, and grasslands near shrubs
Diet
Herbivorous, primarily feeding on tender grasses, reeds, and aquatic plants
When it is active
Diurnal, with peak activity in early morning and late afternoon
Where it lives
Mainly distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe; commonly found in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve
How to spot it
Observe during early morning and late afternoon near wetlands and reed beds, remain quiet to avoid disturbance, use binoculars or telephoto lenses for viewing
Photography tips
Photograph during soft natural light periods, focus on capturing concealed postures within reed beds, use telephoto lenses to avoid disturbing the animal
Threats
Habitat loss, overgrazing, hunting, and disturbance from human activities
Similar species
Similar to other species in the genus Redunca, such as the Mountain Reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula), distinguished by lighter coloration and shorter horns
