Kobus

Kobus is a genus of African hoofed mammals in the family Bovidae. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, species within the genus occupy a variety of habitats including savannas, woodlands, floodplains, and wetlands, often near rivers or lakes. Members of Kobus are medium-sized bovids characterized by a robust body, relatively long legs, and a short tail. Coat coloration tends to gray to brown, with many species showing a pale white or light-colored rump patch that serves as a signaling feature when alarmed.

The genus presently includes several extant species, such as the kob (Kobus kob), the waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus), and the lechwe (Kobus leche). Each species shows adaptations to its environment: for example, lechwe are highly specialized for wetland habitats. Kobus species are herbivorous, feeding on grasses and browse; diet composition shifts with season and habitat. Social organization ranges from small bachelor groups to larger mixed herds, with females and offspring often forming stable groups and males defending territories or harems in some species.

Reproduction occurs seasonally in many populations, with a gestation of several months and calves kept close by nursing and protection from adults. The genus faces threats from habitat modification, hunting, and human-wildlife conflict, though some Kobus species remain widespread and locally abundant.

Taxonomically, Kobus is one of several genera of African antelopes, reflecting a long history of diversification in sub-Saharan ecosystems.