Counting on Africa
Educational Childrens Books Publisher
Waterbuck
Gracefully standing at the water's edge, the waterbuck is a handsome and robust antelope known for its shaggy coat and impressive, spiraling horns (on the males). As its name suggests, this animal is never found far from a reliable source of water.
It relies on rivers, lakes, and marshes not just for drinking, but also for safety, often dashing into the water to escape predators. If you get close enough, you might notice something special about its fur—many waterbucks have a unique, greasy coat that gives off a musky smell. Some people say this acts like a natural raincoat, helping to keep them dry, while others believe the scent helps warn the herd of danger.
DID YOU KNOW?
Female waterbucks and their young form small herds, while adult males are often solitary and territorial, marking their space with scent from glands on their face.
They are mainly grazers, feeding on coarse grasses that many other antelope avoid, which is why they are often seen in specific grassland areas near water.
Newborn waterbuck calves are kept hidden in tall grass for the first few weeks of their lives, with their mother returning only to nurse, to help keep them safe from predators.
Female waterbucks and their young form small herds, while adult males are often solitary and territorial, marking their space with scent from glands on their face.
