Kudu

=Kudu =

__// **Scientific name** //__ : The greater kudu ( Tragelaphus sterpsiceros ), the lesser kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis)
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__// morphology //__ :
Greater and lesser kudu males have long, spinal horns; sometimes a female will have smaller ones. The horns only start to grow when the male is 6 - 12 months old. When they reach 2 years old their horns will have one twist, but they will only grow the full two and a half twists when they reach 6 years old.

Male Greater Kudu female greater kudu
 * //__ Adaptation: __//**

Kudus prefer to stay in the shub areas of the savannahs. Kudus do not travel far away, and usually have a restricted range. They avoid open areas where predators can easily spot them. They can also be found in dry riverbeds or on the side of steep hills. If there is no ready source of water, for example in Southern Namibia, kudus have been known to travel very long distances in a very short period of time. However the kudu can go without drinking water for a very long time, by eating moisture laden plants, such as the Tsamma melon or other roots, bulbs and tubers which provide them with water in dry areas or in times of dehydration. Greater Kudu Range Map (East to South Africa)

Greater Kudu are found in the brush covered plains, woodlands and rocky hillsides of eastern and southern Africa. Females and their young live in herds with up to 6 individuals. Sometimes two groups of females will join together to form a larger herd, but it is only sometimes.
 * //__ Habitat/ecosystem: __//**

Males form bachelor herds that consist of 2 - 10 individuals. Bachelor herds do not overlap but the range of one bachelor herd may overlap those of two or three female herds. Males and females only associate during the breeding season. **//__ Human use? __//** Greater kudus have both suffered from communication with humans; they are a target for hunters, maybe because their habit of stopping to look behind them after running away for cover, making them an easy target. Humans have also destroyed woodland cover which they use for their habitat.
 * //__ 2 or more facts: __//**

- Their mysterious coloring and markings protect kudus by camouflaging them. If alarmed they usually stand still and are very difficult to spot.
- Greater Kudu are the second largest Antelope in the world, the eland being the largest. -The main predators of Greater Kudu are lions, leopards, cheetahs, African wild dogs and humans. -Males weigh as much as 720 pounds.