Greater Kudu
Tragelaphus strepsiceros
Greater Kudu, large antelope browsing leaves in African savannas and woodlands.
| Scientific name | Tragelaphus strepsiceros |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Kudu Mkubwa |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Size | Male: 180-270 kg; Female: 120-210 kg |
How to identify
Males have long, spiral-shaped horns; body is grayish-brown with white vertical stripes; ears are large and broad; face has white stripes; tail tip has black hair.
Habitat
Open woodland savanna, bushland, valleys, and forest edges
Diet
Herbivorous, primarily feeding on tree leaves, tender shoots, bush leaves, and grass.
When it is active
Crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk)
Where it lives
Mainly distributed in eastern and southern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, South Africa; commonly found in Maasai Mara National Reserve.
How to spot it
Observe at dawn or dusk in open woodland savanna and bush edges, paying attention to horn shape and body side stripes.
Photography tips
Use soft light at dawn or dusk for photography, capturing the spiral shape of the horns and side stripes; use a telephoto lens from a distance to avoid disturbance.
Threats
Habitat loss, illegal hunting, and disturbances from human activities
Similar species
Smaller Kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis) is smaller with shorter and less spiraled horns; Zebra antelope differs in size and stripe pattern.
