Okavango Delta, Botswana, Africa

The Lechwe are jumping through the water in marshland. The last animal is jumping high while the front animals are touching the water with the front legs already.

copyright Anette Mossbacher, 17 July, 2023

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This photograph was captured with a Canon EOS-1D X and a lens. The following settings were used:

  • Aperture: ƒ/7.1
  • Exposure time: 1/1000s
  • ISO: 3200
  • Focal Length: 200mm

The original photograph has the following dimensions: 3845 by 2563 pixels (WxH).

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The Lechwe jumping through water is a perfect depiction of them in their favorite habitat. The Lechwe will stay close to marshes and floodplains. Firstly to eat the grasses that spring up in the water and when the floodwaters recede. Secondly, because they are very clumsy running on land. Due to this fact, they rely on the water to escape predators as they are faster than their predators in watery environments. However, males will venture onto the drier ground to keep away from the females and young while they have territory battles. That occurs when it is the annual mating peak.

Lechwe Jumping

The Lechwe’s hindquarters are more significant than their forequarters. That helps the antelope to spring through the marshes. Giving them the strength to spring and jump. As you can see in the photograph ‘Lechwe Jumping Through Water’. Unusually, they also have widely splayed hooves and elongated hooves that help them in the soft ground of a watery environment. Another perfect adaptation to their aquatic-like habitat is that their fur is greasy and water-repellent.

The Lechwe, Kobus leche, is near threatened on the IUCN red list.

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1 comment for Lechwe Jumping Through Water

  1. Steven

    Beautiful antelopes. I have seen large herds in the Okavonga Delta. 👍

    • Anette Mossbacher

      Indeed they are. Thanks a lot. 😀

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