The Southern Lechwe (Kobus leche) is an ungulate (hoofed) mammal in the Bovidae family of cattle and antelopes. It is also known as the Red Lechwe.
The Southern Lechwe is golden brown with a white belly. The male is darker than the female. The male has long, spiral horns. The female does not have horns. Its hind legs (back legs) are longer than those of other antelopes – perhaps to be able to walk in the marshy soil. Its legs have a water-repellent substance on its legs, which enables it to run in knee-high water.
It grows to 90-100 centimetres (35-39 inches) tall at the shoulder.
It is found in South Africa and central Africa, in countries such as Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, and Angola. It prefers wetlands.
The Southern Lechwe is herbivorous, eating aquatic plants. It is diurnal, active during the day.
It gathers in herds which can be up to thousands of individuals. The herd is usually all one sex, but the herds mix during breeding season.
The female is pregnant for 7-8 months before giving birth to one live young.
Location of photographs: Parc Zoologique de Paris in Bois de Vincennes, France
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM