Although still numerous in western Uganda, the kob is far less common now in other areas of East Africa. It was once found in western Kenya and northern Tanzania but has not been seen there in recent years. Kobs do still range across sub-Saharan Africa.
The kob is similar in appearance to the impala, but the two species are not related. The Ugandan kob generally is reddish-brown, but other subspecies range from light brown to almost black. The underside of the body is white, a white ring appears around each eye, and a white patch or chevron appears on the throat; a black stripe runs down the front of each foreleg. Horns occur only in males, and though lyre-shaped, they are shorter, thicker and ringed almost to the tip.
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Kobs graze on short grass and are dependant on larger animals such as hippos, buffalos, topis and hartebeests to create those grazing conditions. Like reedbucks and waterbucks, kobs develop attachments to particular localities, returning to the same grazing areas and watering places day after day, season after season.
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The social structure of the kob is based on small herds that come together into larger groups of up to 1,000 animals. Unlike most other antelopes, the kob has permanent breeding grounds, called leks, where almost all mating takes place, some of which have been in continuous use for at least 50 years. Lekking grounds, usually located on a knoll or elevated area near water, are roughly circular in shape and are 20 to 100 yards in diameter. When female kobs come into estrus, they are attracted by the concentrated deposits of hormone-rich urine that accumulates in the leks. Competition for the innermost territories is fierce, and males hold their territories for only a day or two before turnover.
The pre- and postmating behavior of kobs is also different from that of other antelopes. The male is not as rough with the female and does not attempt to force her to stay within his territory-rather he appears to try gently to convince her. He makes soft noises during courtship play, repeatedly whistling through his nostrils after mating. The sound carries across the breeding grounds and may be echoed by the other territorial males.
The single newborn is suckled for 6 to 7 months and at the time of weaning has reached half of adult size. Young males begin to grow their horns at 5 months, and by 1 year the horns are about as long as the ears. Kobs become sexually mature between 13 and 14 months, but a male will not be active in the breeding grounds until he is 3 or 4 years old, when he has become strong enough to vie for a territory.
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Kobs graze on short grass and are dependant on larger animals such as hippos, buffalos, topis and hartebeests to create those grazing conditions. Like reedbucks and waterbucks, kobs develop attachments to particular localities, returning to the same grazing areas and watering places day after day, season after season.
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Kobs are ecologically restricted, preferring low-lying flats or gently rolling country free of seasonal extremes and close to permanent water. They compete for these lands with humans, who are taking these favorable locations for farming. A kob’s attachment to a locality is so strong that it will often continue to attempt to live in an area after humans have settled it. However, this usually does not last long as the kob is very vulnerable to hunting dogs, nets, and bows and arrows.
Did You Know?
- The kob seldom holds his territory for more than a week, and often more than a day. This pattern seems to be a natural feature of the kob's behavior.
- Female kobs, along with their young, form herds of 30 to 50 animals. During prolonged dry seasons and drought, they congregate with males in very large numbers wherever green grass is still available.
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