Tragelaphus Strepsiceros

The color and markings of the greater kudu help it to hide from predators! Greater kudus prefer thick, brushy areas where their colors and markings help them to be well camouflaged from predators as they feed on the leaves and shoots of low growing woody trees and shrubs. Kudus grow beautiful, long, and spiraled horns that can reach up to 72 inches in length. These horns can sometimes mean the death of the kudu when males fight each other for females and the horn interlock, leading to the death of both animals. The large ears of a kudu help it to better hear predators, like lions and wild dogs, so that they can move away from approaching danger. Male kudus can weigh up to 700 pounds while females are noticeably smaller, weighing between 265-463 pounds.

Fun Facts

• Herds are usually made up of females and young. Bulls are normally solitary.
• Greater kudu, both male and female, have 6-10 vertical stripes on their sides, a white chevron between the eyes, and three white spots on the cheek below the eye.
• Mating season is May to August.
• They are browsers! They can exist for long periods without drinking, obtaining sufficient moisture from their food, but become water dependent at times when vegetation is dry.