What are the two main social organization strategies adopted by mature male waterbucks?

Being territorial or forming bachelor herds

The social organization of the waterbuck reflects the constraints imposed by their fixed habitat needs. Mature males typically fall into one of two distinct behavioral strategies. The first strategy involves being territorial, where a male actively defends a specific area containing essential resources, particularly prime grazing and, most critically, reliable access to water, often excluding other mature males. This is a high-investment behavior essential for attracting females. The alternative strategy involves forming bachelor herds. These groups are composed of non-territorial males who move between established territories, often waiting until they gain sufficient dominance or age to secure their own defended areas. This duality suggests that resources near permanent water are valuable enough to warrant intense defense, but competition leaves many males without immediate access.