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Reedbuck (Redunca arundinum) Rowland Ward minimum: 14"
Weighs up to 155 lbs and rams have a 37" shoulder height. Pelage is grey-brown with white underpants. Tail is bushy and white tipped. Distinctive black hairless glandular patch below the ears. Only rams have horns of up to 18" in length. Reedbuck have inguinal glands in the groin which secrete a waxy substance, rams have one pair and ewes sometimes two. These glands are related to territoriality.
They are primarily grazers selecting green flat land for luscious grass. When grass is not available they will also take small quantities of herbs. When conditions are harsh they will feed during the day, although the species is primarily nocturnal in habit.
This medium-sized antelope is found in small family units. When it runs it has a characteristic rocking gait, with tail up, and in the motion it shows the white underside. The Reedbuck is territorial. Rams defend the ranges of monogamous pairs against other rams. As ewes reach maturity they leave the family groups to form their own pair bonds. Young rams are tolerated and may remain in the group until their third year of life. The Reedbuck is a close relative of the Mountain Reedbuck.
This antelope's natural habitat is wet grasslands. Unfortunately, this type of habitat has shrunk significantly, with a subsequent reduction in the number of Reedbuck.