Greater Kudu
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 Greater Kudu Cow
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| Tragelaphus strepsiceros (Pallas, 1766) |
The Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is a woodland antelope found throughout eastern and southern Africa. Despite occupying such widespread territory, they are sparsely populated in most areas, due to a delicining habitat, deforestation and hunting.[2] An adult can weigh from 195–315 kilograms (though the female tends to be lighter) and grow to be 1–1.5 metres tall at the shoulder, with a length of 1.95–2.45 metres.[2]
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[edit] Physical characteristics and Info
They have a narrow body and long legs. They have brown to bluish grey coats with white vertical torso stripes. The greater kudu exhibits a small white chevron on top its head. The males have large manes along their throat. The males have large horns with two to three twists. Their horn's combined length can reach up to 1.8 meters.
[edit] Habitat
The range of the greater kudu stretches from Eritrea to Tanzania and in Zambia, South Africa, and Angola. They have also been introduced in small numbers into New Mexico. The Habitat of the Greater Kudu includes Thick Accacia brush, Rocky hillsides, dry riverbeds and anywhere with a constant supply of water.
[edit] Diet
The diet of the greater kudu is leaves and grass.
[edit] Sexual Dimorphism
The male greater kudu tends to be much larger than female. The males also tend to vocalize much more than the females. They can vocalize with low grunts, clucks, humming, and gasping. Males will be fully mature at five years of age, whereas females will mature at age three.
[edit] Social System
Greater Kudus live in same sex herds of three to ten individuals and their calves. A herds area can encompass 800 to 1500 acres. The herds spend an average of 54% of the day foraging for food. Greater Kudu's are crepuscular.
[edit] Reproduction
Mating season for the greater kudu is at the end of the rainy season in southern Africa. The courtship of the greater kudu includes the male rubbing his neck against the female's. Gestation is nine months. Calving generally starts between February and March, when the grass tends to be at its highest.
[edit] Offspring and Maternal Care
For the first two weeks of a calves life they hideout where predators cannot find them. For four to fives weeks after that they roam with the herd only during day. Males will become self-sufficient at 6 months old. Females become self-sufficient at around 1 to 2 years old.
[edit] Predators
Predators of the greater kudu include lions and spotted hyenas.
[edit] Specialized Adaptations
The Greater Kudu has evolved many traits unique to their species. One trait is a method of evading predators where they jump over obstacles that the predator could not jump over making them hard to follow it. Because they are often active in times of day with very little light they have developed their sense of smell and hearing.
[edit] Gallery
 Kudu cow |
 Young Greater Kudu Bull |
 Greater Kudu Bull |
 Greater Kudu bulls grazing |
 Greater Kudu at the Natural Bridge Caverns Wildlife Park in Texas. |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Antelope Specialist Group (1996). Tragelaphus strepsiceros. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006.
- ^ a b (1994) Wildlife Fact File. IMP Publishing Ltd, Group 1, Card 110. ISBN 08-50-04-0016.
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Categories: Articles lacking sources from March 2007 | All articles lacking sources | Bovines | Mammals of Africa | Fauna of Ethiopia | Fauna of the Sahara | Fauna of Sudan | Fauna of East Africa | Fauna of Kenya | Fauna of Tanzania | Fauna of Zambia | Fauna of the Democratic Republic of the Congo | Fauna of South Africa | Fauna of Angola | Fauna of Namibia | Even-toed ungulate stubs
