Portrait of male waterbuck showing the long, heavily-ridged horns Caption: Male waterbuck portrait showing the long, heavily-ridged horns, Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Camera: Canon EOS 50D; Lens: Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM telephoto lens; Focal length: 400mm; Shutter speed: 1/1250; Aperture: f/5.6; ISO: 400

Author Robert Ruark once described the male waterbuck as “ruggedly handsome” and the waterbuck portrait above gives credence to this view.

Only the males carry the long, heavily-ridged horns. They curve gracefully back and then slightly forward near the tips (below).

Waterbuck male showing long horns curving back then forward at the tips

Here are quick facts about the waterbuck:

Scientific name: Kobus ellipsiprymnus
Shoulder height: 1,3 m
Weight: 250 – 270 kg
Gestation period: 280 days
Life expectancy: 15 years

See also safari guide Roddy Smith’s article, The Ruggedly Handsome Waterbuck, for more.



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+Scotch Macaskill