CreatureData

Lechwe vs Waterbuck

The waterbuck is heavier: 210 kg against 110.7 kg for the lechwe, about 90% more.

Lechwe (Kobus leche)
Lechwe NTNear Threatened
Photo: Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus)
Waterbuck LCLeast Concern
Photo: Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What is the difference between a lechwe and a waterbuck?

Each point below is worked out from a pair of recorded values.

  • The waterbuck is heavier: 210 kg against 110.7 kg for the lechwe, about 90% more.
  • The lechwe is longer-lived: 22 years against 19.3 years for the waterbuck, about 14% longer.
  • Both belong to the genus Kobus, so they are close relatives.
  • The lechwe is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List; the waterbuck is Least Concern.

Side by side

LechweWaterbuck
Scientific nameKobus lecheKobus ellipsiprymnus
FamilyBovidaeBovidae
OrderArtiodactylaArtiodactyla
Weight91.7 kg – 110.7 kg175.3 kg – 210 kg
LengthNot recordedNot recorded
Lifespan22 years19.3 years
Main foodNot recordedNot recorded
Habitatwetlandgrassland, riverine, shrubland
Conservation statusNear ThreatenedLeast Concern
Countries recordedNot recordedNot recorded

A scale drawing needs a recorded length for both animals; only weights are on record for this pair.

Full record: LechweFull record: WaterbuckCompare other animals