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KUDU - Tragelaphus strepsiceros |
SIZE: Shoulder height (m) 1,45 m, (f) 1,25 m; mass
(m) 250 kg, (f) 200 kg.
COLOUR: Greyish fawn, with narrow, vertical white
stripes on sides and rump, a short ridge of white
hair along the centre of the back, and a white chevron
between the eyes. Males have a brown and white fringe
from throat to base of neck.
MOST LIKE: Nyala, but kudu male's horns more spiralled
and there is no heavy fringe of hair hanging below
the belly.
HABITAT: Savanna woodland or scrub, especially close
to water and rocky terrain.
Kudu are considered by many to be the most attractive
of the southern African antelope: they are usually
fawn-grey, with a series of unevenly spaced white
transverse stripes across their backs.
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The call of the kudu, the loudest of any antelope, is a
penetrating hoarse bark. When alarmed, kudu run away, lifting
their tails over their rumps and fanning out the white undersurface
as a warning signal to others. Despite their incredible
horns, which are known to reach a length of 1,8 m, the kudu
is a gentle animal, preferring flight to fight.
However, enraged kudu bulls do engage in fierce combat,
sometimes accidentally killing each other by locking their
horns together. They are gregarious, although the herds
they form are very small: usually only about four animals,
although they may number up to twelve. Small bachelor herds
are also found, as well as solitary males. A single calf
is born, usually in summer, and is hidden by its mother
in tall grass for two to three months, until it is strong
enough to follow the herd. Female kudu usually live up to
14 or 15 years; males live up to 6 or 7 years.
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DISTRIBUTION
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They
are easily recognisable due to the two magnificent spiral
horns in the male. The kudu's ears are a distinct feature
in both sexes, as they are particularly large and broad for
the size of the head, and fringed with white hair. Adult males
have a short beard of dark hair, and a fringe of long hair
down the mid-throat. Their name is derived from the Khoikhoi
name kudu.
Kudu are graceful leapers capable of clearing a 2,5 m fence
from a standstill. They are a savanna woodland species, and
do not occur in open grassland, forest or desert. Kudu are
predominantly browsers, and eat a greater variety of browse
than any of the other antelope in the southern African region.
They do also eat fresh grass.
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WILDLIFE
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RESERVES
WHERE
THIS SPECIES
IS FOUND: |
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