Abstract
The specialized areas of habitat in which red lechwe, Kobus leche leche, are found in
Africa are quite different than those found on Texas ranches. Environmental, social, and
biological determinants mitigate the lechwes habitat preferences for a variety of
behaviors. Red lechwe utilize a single habitat in which to graze, rest, mate, and socialize
in Africa, rather than clustered territories in which to carry out specialized behaviors.
Differences in the social organization, physiology, habitat preference, and behavior of
these exotics were found compared to those for populations in Africa. The ecological
differences in a managed territory consisting of supplemental feed, compared to those
areas of Africa in which red lechwe populations are found, give rise to the evaluation of
habitat preference for exotics on Texas ranches in relation to their ethology.
