Lechwe
The lechwe, red lechwe, or southern lechwe is an antelope found in wetlands of south-central Africa.
Range
The lechwe is native to Botswana, Zambia, southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, northeastern Namibia, and eastern Angola, especially in the Okavango Delta, Kafue Flats, and Bangweulu Wetlands. The species is fairly common in zoos and wild animal farms.Description
Adult lechwe typically stand at the shoulder and generally weigh from, with males being larger than females. They are golden brown with white bellies. Males are darker in colour, but exact hue and amount of blackish on the front legs, chest and body varies depending on subspecies. The long, spiral horns are vaguely lyre-shaped and borne only by males. The hind legs are somewhat longer in proportion than in other antelopes to ease long-distance running on marshy soil.Habitats
Lechwe are found in marshy areas where they are an important herbivore of aquatic plants, as well as grasses that are found in flooded meadows. They use the knee-deep water as protection from predators. Their legs are covered in a water-repellant substance which allows them to run quite fast in knee-deep water. Lechwe are diurnal. They gather in herds which can include many thousands of individuals. Herds are usually all of one sex, but during mating season they mix.Taxonomy
Subspecies
Four subspecies of the lechwe have been recognized.- Common red lechwe - Widely distributed in the wetlands of Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and Zambia.
- Kafue Flats lechwe - It is confined within the Kafue Flats.
- Roberts' lechwe - Formerly found in northeastern Zambia, now extinct. Also called the Kawambwa lechwe.
- Black lechwe - Found in the Bangweulu region of Zambia.
Although related and sharing the name "lechwe", the Nile lechwe is consistently recognized as a separate species.