Kudu

:"Kudu is an alternate spelling for kuzu, the Japanese word for the plant kudzu."

The kudus are two species of antelope:
*Lesser Kudu, "Tragelaphus imberbis"
*Greater kudu, "Tragelaphus strepsiceros"

Etymology

The name of the animal was imported into English in the 18th century from isiXhosa "iqudu", via Afrikaans "koedoe".

Habitat

Lesser Kudus come from the savannas near acacia and commiphora shrubs. They have to rely on thickets for protection, so they are hardly ever seen in the open.

Behavior

Like many other antelope, male kudu can be found in bachelor groups, but they are more likely to be widespread. Males do not have long shows for dominance; it is usually quick and peaceful, consisting of one male giving the most lateral show, standing up front and making himself look big.when males do have a face off they will lock their horns and it will be a compotition of whos the strongest puller, as you would notices their necks enlarge during the mating season, and sometimes the two males are unable to unlock there horns from each other and end up dying. Males are seen with females only in the mating season, where they'll only be in groups of 5-15 with their offspring. Calves grow very quickly and at six months are fairly independent of their mothers.
*When pregnant the female will leave the herd and give birth. She will leave the newborn lying out for 4-5 weeks, the longest period of any antelope. Then the calf will start meeting its mother for short periods at a time. At 3 or 4 months the calf will be with her constantly and at about 6 months they will permanently join the group.

When threatened, the kudu will run away rather than fight. Wounded bulls have been known to charge the attacker, hitting the attacker with its horns rather than stabbing it. Wounded females can keep running for many miles without stopping to rest for more than a minute. They are great kickers and are capable of breaking a wild dog or jackal's neck or back. They are good jumpers and can clear a 5 foot fence from a standing start.

Diet

Kudus are browsers and eat leaves and shoots. 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

Many predators, such as big cats, wild dogs, hyenas and pythons hunt kudu and their young. Kudu numbers are also affected by humans hunting them for their meat, hides and horns, or using their habitats for charcoal burning and farming.

Kudus are highly susceptible to the rinderpest virus, and many scientists think recurring epidemics of the disease have reduced kudu populations in East Africa.

Kudus are highly susceptible to rabies in times of extended drought. They have been known to enter farm houses and other buildings when infected. Infected animals appear tame and have a distinct frothing at the mouth. They are fearless and bulls may sometimes attack humans who get too close to them.

Use in music

A kudu horn is a musical instrument made from the horn of the kudu antelope. A form of it is sometimes used as a shofar in Jewish ceremonies. It is mostly seen in the Western world in its use as a part of the Scouting movement's Wood Badge training program which, when blown, signals the start of a Wood Badge training course or activity.

External links

* [http://www.awf.org/wildlives/146 Kudu: Wildlife summary from the African Wildlife Foundation]