Waterbuck: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Antelopes of Africa · day 5 of 7

Five facts

1. Its skin gives off a greasy, musky oil, which earned it the nickname 'greasy kob'. The smell is so nasty it drives predators away.
2. That oily coat also helps keep the waterbuck waterproof when it plunges into a river or lake.
3. To escape lions or hyenas it often runs into water, even though it doesn't seem to enjoy being in it much.
4. Tsetse flies leave waterbucks alone because of chemicals in their smell. Scientists are testing these smells to protect farm animals.
5. A mother hides her newborn for weeks. When the calf is about a month old, she raises her tail to signal it to follow her.

The quiz

1. What does the waterbuck's greasy skin oil do to predators?

• It attracts them
• Its bad smell repels them (correct)
• It makes them sleepy
• It has no effect

The musky smell is so unpleasant that it drives predators away.

2. How else does the oily skin help the waterbuck?

• It keeps the body waterproof in water (correct)
• It makes its horns grow
• It helps it see at night
• It keeps it warm in snow

The oil helps waterproof the body when it dives into water.

3. Where does a waterbuck often go to escape predators?

• Up a tree
• Into a burrow
• Into the water (correct)
• Onto a cliff

It often enters water to escape, though it does not seem to like it.

4. Which insects stay away from waterbucks because of their smell?

• Bees
• Butterflies
• Ants
• Tsetse flies (correct)

Chemicals in their smell act as a tsetse fly repellent.

5. How does a mother waterbuck tell her calf to follow her?

• She stamps her feet
• She raises her tail (correct)
• She lies down
• She shakes her horns

From three to four weeks, she signals by raising her tail. Females have no horns.

More about the Waterbuck

Same week

All lessons

Nature documentaries