WILDLIFE
SOUTH AFRICA |
|
| KUDU |
|
Latin Name: Tragelaphus
strepsiceros Afrikaans: Koedoe |
|
 |
 |
Distribution: |
Found throughout South Africa with large numbers occurring outside conservation areas |
Habitat: |
They can be found in hilly areas, slopes of mountains with trees, woodlands, bush thickets, riverine areas, bushveld and wooded savannah areas. |
| Habits: |
They congregate mainly in small herds (3 to 20) - usually cows with their young. Adult bulls are solitary or in bachelor groups. Adult Bulls that have won the right to mate will join herds of females in mating season. |
Difference between bull and cow: |
Only bulls have horns and they are larger than cows Mass – Bull 190 to 270 – Cow 120 to 210 |
| Lifespan: |
14 years |
| Breeding / Gestation: |
A single calf is born usually in summer from Nov to Jan after a gestation period of 7 months |
| Diet: |
Leaves and fresh growth of plants and shrubs, seedpods, sometimes new grass growth. |
| Enemies: |
Humans, Lion, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Cheetah, Wild dog, Nile Crocodile. |
| Interesting facts: |
They are very agile and often jump over fences higher than 3 metres. After birth the cows hide their young for a few days, until strong enough to run with the herd. Kudu have very large ears, hence their acute hearing. |