Hunting Portal
Namibia

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 Februar.

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.