Species profile

Name: the kudus are two closely related species of antelope – the lesser kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis) and the greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros).

Appearance: both species look similar although greater kudus are larger. They typically have reddish-brown to blueish grey coats with thin white stripes and long corkscrew-shaped horns.

Size: greater kudus are one of the largest species of antelope, weighing up to 270 kg and standing 160 cm at the shoulder. Lesser kudus are slightly smaller, reaching up to 110 kg and 110 cm tall.

Diet: they are browsers that eat leaves and shoots as well as flowers and fruits when available.

Did you know: kudus stand out thanks to their incredible horns. During mating season males use them to fight for females. Sometimes they are unable to unlock their horns after a bout and have been known to die of starvation! They also use them in defence against predators when they are unable to escape. Humans have also found a use for these horns as musical instruments and the inspiration for the famous vuvuzela used by football fans.

Location: both species are found in forested areas. Greater kudus are found across southern and eastern Africa, while lesser kudus are restricted to eastern Africa.

Where to see Kudus

According to reports submitted to WildSide, you can see kudus in the following places:

Photo credit: 4657743 under a Creative Commons licence from Pixabay