Lesser Kudu
Encyclopedia
The lesser kudu is a forest antelope
found in East Africa
and (possibly) the southern Arabian Peninsula
. The southern lesser kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis australis) is a subspecies found in Kenya
and Tanzania
.
Lesser kudu range between 90 to 110 cm (35.4 to 43.3 in) tall at the shoulder. Females weigh between 50 to 70 kg (110.2 to 154.3 lb) and the males between 60 to 90 kg (132.3 to 198.4 lb) maximum. Lesser kudu males are grey-brown while females are chestnut with a lighter coat on their underside. Both have about ten white stripes on their backs and two white tufts on the underside of their necks. Males have a small mane and horns of about 70 cm (27.6 in) with one twist.
Lesser kudu live in dry thorn bush
and forest
and eat mainly leaves. Lesser kudu are nocturnal and matinine crepuscular
. They live in groups of two to five ranging up to twenty-four.
Lesser kudu can jump distances more than 9 m (29.5 ft) and 2.5 m (8.2 ft) high. They can also reach running speeds of around 90 km/h (55.9 mph). Unlike its cousin the greater kudu
, which is one of the slowest antelopes, the lesser kudu is one of fastest.
The population is in decrease. It is currently estimated at 118,000 individuals, in East Africa.
Antelope
Antelope is a term referring to many even-toed ungulate species indigenous to various regions in Africa and Eurasia. Antelopes comprise a miscellaneous group within the family Bovidae, encompassing those old-world species that are neither cattle, sheep, buffalo, bison, nor goats...
found in East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
and (possibly) the southern Arabian Peninsula
Arabian Peninsula
The Arabian Peninsula is a land mass situated north-east of Africa. Also known as Arabia or the Arabian subcontinent, it is the world's largest peninsula and covers 3,237,500 km2...
. The southern lesser kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis australis) is a subspecies found in Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
and Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
.
Lesser kudu range between 90 to 110 cm (35.4 to 43.3 in) tall at the shoulder. Females weigh between 50 to 70 kg (110.2 to 154.3 lb) and the males between 60 to 90 kg (132.3 to 198.4 lb) maximum. Lesser kudu males are grey-brown while females are chestnut with a lighter coat on their underside. Both have about ten white stripes on their backs and two white tufts on the underside of their necks. Males have a small mane and horns of about 70 cm (27.6 in) with one twist.
Lesser kudu live in dry thorn bush
The Bush
"The bush" is a term used for rural, undeveloped land or country areas in certain countries.-Australia:The term is iconic in Australia. In reference to the landscape, "bush" describes a wooded area, intermediate between a shrubland and a forest, generally of dry and nitrogen-poor soil, mostly...
and forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
and eat mainly leaves. Lesser kudu are nocturnal and matinine crepuscular
Crepuscular
Crepuscular animals are those that are active primarily during twilight, that is during dawn and dusk. The word is derived from the Latin word crepusculum, meaning "twilight." Crepuscular is, thus, in contrast with diurnal and nocturnal behavior. Crepuscular animals may also be active on a bright...
. They live in groups of two to five ranging up to twenty-four.
Lesser kudu can jump distances more than 9 m (29.5 ft) and 2.5 m (8.2 ft) high. They can also reach running speeds of around 90 km/h (55.9 mph). Unlike its cousin the greater kudu
Greater Kudu
The Greater Kudu is a woodland antelope found throughout eastern and southern Africa. Despite occupying such widespread territory, they are sparsely populated in most areas, due to a declining habitat, deforestation and hunting....
, which is one of the slowest antelopes, the lesser kudu is one of fastest.
The population is in decrease. It is currently estimated at 118,000 individuals, in East Africa.