CC BY 4.0
Waterbuck
Kobus ellipsiprymnus, 1905
About the object
Male, rather than female waterbucks are prized by hunters for their horns. This hunting trophy belonged to Hans Hudemann, who was an officer in the Schutztruppe ("Protection Force") in colonial German East Africa. His widow Constance Hudemann donated this and further trophies to the museum by way of her son-in-law Prof. Dr. Jeschek in 1964.
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Waterbucks are sedentary and sociable in nature. Herds of between 6 and 30 individuals are common. The herds consist of one bull and numerous cows with their calves. Bulls start to display territorial behaviour from the age of 5 years but they show their dominance most potently from the ages of 6 to nine. Waterbucks are at risk of dehydration and therefore must always remain close to a source of water. These grazers are most commonly found in grass savannahs. Close to the equator the breeding season takes place all year round and the highest birth rate occurs during the monsoon season. Gestation takes between 7 and 8 months, after which one calf is born.