What specific evolutionary contrast is drawn between the Waterbuck's coat texture and that of gazelles?
The Waterbuck's heavy, oily coat suggests an adaptation favoring insulation and water shedding, contrasting sharply with the fine, velvety coats of gazelles that thrive in arid conditions.
The textural quality of the Waterbuck’s coarse, shaggy coat is presented as an evolutionary adaptation perfectly suited for its humid, water-adjacent environment, emphasizing water-repellency and insulation. This functional design is explicitly contrasted with the coat structure of gazelles. Gazelles, which are adapted to thrive in dry, arid conditions where heat dissipation and minimal bulk are advantageous, possess fine, velvety coats. This comparison highlights how different species develop contrasting physical attributes—rough and oily for moisture management versus fine and smooth for arid survival—based on their distinct ecological niches and environmental pressures.
