Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Artiodactyla
• Family: Bovidae
• Subfamily: Bovinae
• Genus: Tragelaphus
• Species: Tragelaphus strepsiceros

Geographic Range

Ethiopian: Greater kudus are found in southern and eastern Africa. The population is the most dense in the south. In East
Africa, the population is broken up and there are many isolated groups in the mountains.

Physical Characteristics

Mass: 120 to 315 kg.

Greater kudu are one of the tallest antelopes, with shoulder heights ranging from 100 cm to 150 cm. Greater kudus have
the largest horns in the bushbuck tribe, averaging 120 cm in length. The body color of the greater kudu varies from reddish
brown to blue-gray, with the darkest individuals found in the southern populations. The color of the males darkens with age.
Along its back, the kudu has six to ten stripes. Its tail is black tipped with a white underside. Males possess a beard that
females lack.

Natural History

Food Habits
Greater kudu are herbivores. They eat a wide variety of leaves, herbs, fruits, vines, flowers, and some new grass. They
may drink water in the dry season but are capable of surviving in a waterless region.

Reproduction
Greater kudu are seasonal breeders in southern Africa. At the equator, they calve in the rainy season, which is from
February to June, and mate near or after the end of the rains (Kingdon, 1982). Females, if well nourished, can breed
in two years. Most females, however, do not reach maturity until three years of age. Males are mature in five years.
There is a nine month gestation period, and calves are born when the grass is high. Calves remain hidden for two weeks
before joining the herd. Greater kudu calves are weaned at six months. Male calves remain in the maternity herd for
1 and 1/2 to 2 years while the females remain in it longer.

Behavior
Females live in herds of 1-3 head and their offspring. There is no obvious hierarchical rank in these groups. Sometimes
the female groups combine to form larger groups, but these groups are temporary. Males live in bachelor herds, which
range in number from 2 to 10 head. It is unclear if males have a distinct hierarchical rank in their groups. Male bachelor
herds do not overlap each other, but the range of one male may overlap two or three female herds. Males and females
do not have any association with each other except during the mating season. Greater kudus are not very aggressive
animals and show patterns of aggression mainly in captivity. In the wild, when greater kudu fight, fighting occurs only
between kudus of the same size.

Habitat
Greater kudu are found in a variety of habitats throughout Africa. As long as they have good cover, greater kudu are able
to survive in the settled areas of Africa. Greater kudu can be found in habitats that provide bush and thicket cover. In the
rains, greater kudu remain in the deciduous woodlands. During the dry season they can be found in along the banks of
rivers where there is rich vegetation.

Biomes: tropical deciduous forest, tropical scrub forest, tropical savanna & grasslands

Economic Importance for Humans

Positive
In southern Africa, greater kudus have been hunted for many years. The meat from the greater kudus is very good and
the horns of the male kudus are a trophy for many African hunters (Kingdon, 1982). Greater kudu can also be found in
zoos throughout the world.

Negative
Greater kudus destroy farmers' crops in Africa.

Conservation

Status: no special status

Other Comments

Greater kudu have been able to reclaim much of their southern habitat, which was threatened by increased human
population. The northern population, however, has not been able to reclaim their territory and remain in sparse, isolated
populations (Estes, 1991). Greater kudu are prey for several animals in Africa, including lions, leopards, wild dogs, and
spotted hyenas.

References

Estes, R. 1991. The Behavior Guide to African Mammals. The University of California Press. Berkeley, Los Angeles,
and London.

Kingdon, J. 1982. East African Mammals: An Atlas of Evolution in Africa, Volume III Part C (Bovids). Academic Press
Ins. (London) Ltd. London and New York.

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