Parks Where Found

• Chyulu Hills National Park
• Hell's Gate National Park
• Maasai Mara National Reserve
• Meru National Park
• Nairobi National Park
• Nakuru National Park
• Tsavo East National Park

Physical Characteristics

• Female greater kudus are noticeably smaller than the males
• By contrast, lesser kudus are even smaller, about 42 inches at the shoulder;
• Males weigh around 220 pounds while females generally weigh about 50 pounds less.
• Lesser kudus have smaller horns than the greater kudus and conspicuous white patches on the upper and lower parts of the neck.
• Although both species are bluish-gray, grayish-brown or rust color, the lesser has five to six more lateral white stripes, for a total of 11 to 15.

Natural Environment

Lesser kudus are found in acacia and commiphora thornbush in arid savannas. They rely on thickets for security and are rarely found in open or scattered bush. Greater kudus are found in woodlands and bushlands.

Behaviour

Male kudu sometimes form small bachelor groups, but more commonly they are solitary and widely dispersed. Dominance between males is usually quickly and peacefully determined by a lateral display in which one male stands sideways in front of the other and makes himself look as large as possible.

Males only join females, who form small groups of six to 10 with their offspring, during mating season. Calves grow rapidly and at 6 months are fairly independent of their mothers.

Diet

Kudus are browsers and eat leaves and shoots from a variety of plants. In dry seasons, they eat wild watermelons and other fruit for the liquid they provide. The lesser kudu is less dependent on water sources than the greater kudu.

Predators and Threats

• Humans hunt them for their meat, hides and horns
• Big cats
• Wild dogs
• Hyenas
• Eagles and pythons hunt kudu and their young.
• Rinderpest virus, and many scientists think recurring epidemics of the disease have reduced kudu populations in East Africa.

Facts for Fun

• Their cryptic coloring and markings protect kudus by camouflaging them. If alarmed they usually stand still and are very difficult to spot.
• Kudus normally restrict their movements to a small home range, but the scarcity of food in dry season may prompt them to roam more widely.