Waterbuck
Kobus ellipsiprymnus
Waterbuck, a grass-eating antelope near water in African savannas and valleys.
| Scientific name | Kobus ellipsiprymnus |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Kongoni |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Size | Male: approximately 198-262 kg; Female: approximately 161-214 kg |
How to identify
Large-bodied, brownish-gray coat with distinct white ring-shaped markings on the back; males have backward-curving spiral horns; face has white markings; tail is long with black hair at the tip.
Habitat
Open woodland savanna, grasslands, shrublands, and river valleys near water sources
Diet
Herbivorous, primarily grazing on grasses, occasionally consuming aquatic plants
When it is active
Diurnal, mostly active during the day with increased activity at dawn and dusk
Where it lives
Mainly distributed in Eastern and Southern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe; commonly seen in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve
How to spot it
Observe in grasslands and river valleys near water; active frequently at dawn and dusk; maintain silence to avoid disturbance
Photography tips
Use soft morning and evening light; side angles highlight the white ring markings on the back and spiral horns; use telephoto lens from a distance to avoid disturbance
Threats
Habitat loss and fragmentation; human activity disturbances; illegal hunting
Similar species
Similar to the Defassa waterbuck (Kobus defassa), but waterbuck is larger, with more distinct white ring markings on the back and slightly different horn shape
