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 The kudu is viewed by many as the most handsome of the tragelaphine antelopes. The tragelaphines include eland and bushbuck, among others.
Kudus have stripes and spots on the body, and most have a chevron of white hair on the forehead. Male kudu have long, spiral horns; and sometimes the female will have small ones. The greater kudu has magnificent horns which can grow up to72 inches in length, The horns usually make 2 1/2 graceful twists. The horns of the kudu have long been prized in Africa for use as musical instruments and ritual objects.
The horns are not often used for self defense against predators. The kudu's horns do not hinder the animal in wooded habitat because they simply left their head up which has the effect of laying the horns
against their backs. In this way, they can move easily through brush.
The habitat of the kudu includes scrub woods and brush, A study of kudus in Kruger Park found that the animals do make seasonal movements, dispersing to woodland in the rainy season, and in the dry season they can be found along rivers.
Kudu are herbivorous and browse on a variety of leaves fruits, tubers, grasses, etc..
Kudus reproduce annually in southern Africa. The calving season runs from February through March when grass is high. The gestation period is 9 months, and females can conceive at 2 years of age. Adult kudus are victims of predators like lions, hyenas and leopards. Newborn kudus are also vulnerable to smaller predators.
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