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Bull |
Cow |
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| Mass (adult) | 250 - 270 kg
|
205 - 250 kg
|
|
| Shoulder height | ± 170 cm |
± 130 cm |
|
| Life expectancy | ± 14 years |
± 14 years |
|
| Trophy Records | ||
Minimum |
Record |
|
| Rowland Ward | 28" |
39 -1/4" shot in 1950 |
| SCI | 70" |
91 -6/8" shot in 1982 |
| SCI Bowhunting | 70" |
84 -4/8" shot in 1985 |
| Identification | |
 |
This large greyish-brown antelope with a white circle around the tail has long, shaggy and coarse hair. The female is smaller than the male and does not have horns. |
| Habitat | |
The Waterbuck is savannah specie,
never far away from water, bur normally avoids riverine forests. It
is found in woodland along rivers, dry floodplains and vleis or in
reed beds along marshes. These areas usually have good quality grass
for grazing. It is very dependent on water. |
|
| Habits | |
| It usually forms herds of 6 to 12 (even up to 30) animals. There are territorial males, nursing herds and bachelor herds. Herds become larger in summer but divide in winter. Young males become fully grown at about 5 to 6 years and then try to establish a territory. Threatening displays defends territories. A subordinate lowers his head as a sign of submission. Serious fights are very common. If a nursing herd passes across a male's territory, the male will try to round up the females. | |
| Food | |
| It feeds mainly on grass, sometimes leaves and fruit. It drinks water regularly. | |
| Vocalisation | |
| Snorts and a soft "moo" sound when the female calls her calf. | |
| Breeding | |
| One, occasionally two, young are born anytime during the year after a gestation period of ± 9 months. The female has two pairs of groin mammae. | |