The waterbuck is the African antelope named for its water-loving habits and recognized by a conspicuous white ring around the tail base.
Waterbuck commonly live near rivers, lakes, floodplains, and other habitats with reliable water. Their coarse coat contains oily secretions that may help repel water, although the species is not an aquatic specialist in the way a hippopotamus is. When threatened, waterbuck may head toward water or dense cover.
The white marking around the rump is one of the clearest field clues for identifying the species. Waterbuck males have long, forward-curving horns, while females generally lack horns. Several regional forms are recognized, and their coat color and markings can vary.
The similar-sounding bushbuck and waterbuck are different antelopes. Bushbuck are more associated with dense vegetation and have different body markings, while waterbuck are especially linked with wet habitats and the white rump ring.