- Lechwe
Taxobox
name = Lechwe
status = LR/cd | status_system = IUCN2.3
trend = stable
status_ref = IUCN2006|assessors=Antelope Specialist Group|year=1996|id=11033|title=Kobus leche|downloaded=10 May 2006]
image_width = 250px
image_caption = Red Lechwe
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis =Mammal ia
ordo =Artiodactyla
familia =Bovidae
genus = "Kobus"
species = "K. leche"
binomial = "Kobus leche"
binomial_authority = Gray,1850 The Lechwe, or Southern Lechwe, ("Kobus leche") is an
antelope found inBotswana ,Zambia , south-easternDemocratic Republic of the Congo , north-easternNamibia , and easternAngola , especially in theOkavango Delta ,Kafue Flats andBangweulu Swamps .Lechwe stand 90 to 100 centimetres at the shoulder and weigh from 70 to 120 kilograms. They are golden brown with a white belly. Males are darker in colour, but general hue varies depending on
subspecies . The long spiral structured horns are vaguely lyre-shaped, they are found only in males. The hind legs are somewhat longer in proportion than in other antelopes, to ease long-distance running in marshy soil.Lechwe are found in
marsh y areas where they eat aquaticplants . They use the knee-deep water as protection from predators. Their legs are covered in a water repelling substance allowing 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.
ubspecies
There are four subspecies of the Lechwe:MSW3 Groves|pages=] Haltenorth, T. & H. Diller. 1980. "Mammals of Africa including Madagascar." Harpercollins Publishers. ISBN 0-00-219778-2]
* Red or Zambesi Lechwe ("Kobus l. leche") - most of range. Overall tawny-fawn with black to front of front legs.
* Kafue or Brown Lechwe ("Kobus leche kafuensis") - Kafue Flats. As previous, but front legs almost entirely black. Vulnerable.IUCN2007|assessors=Antelope Specialist Group|year=1996|id=11045|title=Kobus leche ssp. kafuensis |downloaded=23 July 2008]
* Roberts' or Kawambwa Lechwe ("Kobus leche robertsi") - formerly nearKawambwa .Extinct .IUCN2007|assessors=Antelope Specialist Group|year=1996|id=11038|title=Kobus leche ssp. robertsi |downloaded=23 July 2008]
* Black or Bangweulu Lechwe ("Kobus leche smithemani") - Bangweulu Swamps. Adult male blackish. Vulnerable.IUCN2007|assessors=Antelope Specialist Group|year=1996|id=11046|title=Kobus leche ssp. smithemani |downloaded=23 July 2008]References
External links
*ARKive - [http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/mammals/Kobus_leche_smithemani/ images and movies of the black lechwe "(Kobus leche smithemani)"]
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