Characteristics:
Kudu stand about 150 cm
/ 60 inch at the shoulder, with a mean mass of about 275 kg / 610 lb.
(bulls). Cows weigh about a third less. Kudu are big, slender and very
elegant animals, with distinct, big ears. Kudu look like the European red
deer.
Colouring:
Kudu are fawn-grey to tinged cinnamon in colour.
They have a series of 6 - 10 white transverse stripes across their backs,
from the shoulder to the rump. Their face marking shows a white band between
their eyes and white patches on the side of the face below their eyes. Bulls
have a distinct dark mane on their throat. Old bulls have a grey-blue,
almost bold throat, the so-called "black or blue bulls". Cows are lighter in
colour.
Habitat:
Bush and rocky terrain.
Occurrence:
All over the country, expect in the desert.
Main food:
Foliage, shrubs, fruit and seeds.
Rutting period:
Depending on the annual rainfall, approximately
from April to July.
Calving period:
November to February.
Horns:
Usually only the bulls carry horns but rarely the cows do as well. The horns
of the bull are long, imposing, strongly diverging, and wound in spirals.
The length of horns can bee up to 150 cm
/ 60 inch. The extent differs from narrow to wide. The perfect form of both
horns is an equilateral triangle.
Habits:
Kudu are gregarious, but herds are usually small. Outside
the rutting period, cows and bulls live in separate herds, also bachelor
groups are seen. Old bulls are often solitary. Kudu are accomplished jumpers
and can surmount 2,5 m
/ 98 inch high obstacles with graceful ease from a standing position. Kudu
drink regularly, if possible. If disturbed they immediately run for the
nearest cover without stopping to observe the cause. Kudu vocalise roars
during the rutting period.
Voice:
Loud harsh bark.