Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) male. Isimangalis...

Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) male. Isimangaliso Wetland Park (Greater St Lucia Wetland Park). KwaZulu Natal. South Africa. Waterbuck stand 100 to 130 cm at the shoulder and weigh from 160 to 240 kg. Their coats are reddish brown in colour and become progressively darker with age; they have a white 'bib' under their throats and a white ring on their rumps surrounding their tails. The waterproofing secretions of the waterbuck's sweat glands produces an unpleasant odor in its meat, unless the animal is skinned carefully. According to African myth the meat of the waterbuck is not edible, but this is untrue—whilst not especially tasty, waterbuck venison is safe to eat. The long spiral structured horns, found only in males, sweep back and up. Waterbuck are found in scrub and savanna areas near water where they eat grass. Despite its name, the waterbuck does not spend much time in the water, but will take refuge there to escape predators. Waterbuck are diurnal. Females gather in herds of between two and six hundred individuals. Males keep territories of around three hundred acres (1.2 km²) during their prime. They usually lose their territories before the age of ten.