Strepsiceros strepsiceros (Pallas, 1766)

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2011, Bovidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 2 Hoofed Mammals, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 444-779 : 614-615

35.

Cape Kudu

Strepsiceros strepsiceros

French: Grand Koudou / German: Kap-Gro 3kudu / Spanish: Gran kudu meridional

Other common names: Greater Kudu

Taxonomy. Antilope strepsiceros Pallas, 1766 ,

“Prom. B. Spei” (Cape of Good Hope). Restricted by Grubb in 1999 to South Africa, southeastern Cape Province (eastern part of Western Cape Province).

Recent evaluations of museum specimens by C. P. Groves and Grubb show that four forms of greater kudu are diagnostically different, separate from Tragelaphus and here replaced under Smith’s genus Strepsiceros . Monotypic.

Distribution. Coastal SE South Africa, with isolated populations in C South Africa.

Descriptive notes. No specific measurements are available, but this speciesis not likely to be very different from the Zambezi Kudu (S. zambesiensis). The weight of malesis about 150% of that of females. Greater kudus are the tallest of the African antelopes, after elands (7Tawrotragus spp.), with the longest and most widely spiraled horns on males. The Cape Kudu was described in early accounts as darker than forms farther north. Coat color ranges from reddish-fawn to a pale blue-gray, particularly in older individuals; the neck tends to be darker than the shoulders and the head darker than the neck. As with other greater kudu species, Cape Kudus have a white chevron between the eyes, 2-3 spots on either cheek, and white upper and lowerlips and chin. The ears are very large and cup-shaped. A beard of white and darker hairs extends from the jaw to the lower throat, and a brownish mane and dorsal crest extend from the neck and withers to the tail. The color of the dorsal crest alternates from brownish to whitish, in sync with the 4-9 white vertical stripes on the sides of the body. The black-tipped tail is white underneath. The belly is grayish, becoming near black in the middle. The legs tend to be tawny from the hooves to knees and hocks; the pasterns are black posteriorly, with traces of whitish spots above the hooves on the front legs. The average straight-line horn length of male Cape Kudusis 89-5 cm, and average tip-to-tip length is 70-9 cm; exceptional horn lengths along the outside curve may reach 150 cm. Young males can be aged by the shape of their horns: they have a full spiral by two years of age and 2-5 spirals by 4-4-5 years of age. Females tend to be a more uniform fawn in body color and lack horns. Young are redder than adults, with similar but more pronounced white markings. Dental formulais 0/3, C0/1,P 3/3, M 3/3 (x2) = 32.

Habitat. Protective woody/shrubby cover is characteristic of Cape Kudu habitat. In Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, Cape Kudus occupy subtropical thicket vegetation, such as a non-succulent brush habitat typified by Maytenus polyacantha, Putterlickia pyracantha, Euclea undulata , and Rhus undulata ; a succulent brushy habitat dominated by Euphorbia bothae, and brushlands dominated by Acacia.

Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but likely comparable to the Zambezi Kudu (S. zambesiensis). As with other ruminants, alternating patterns of feeding and resting/ruminating typify the daily activities of greater kudus, and given their size, they spend a considerable amount of time foraging. Although greater kudus are not normally dependent on standing water, obtaining the water they need in the vegetation they eat, they will drink as they can during very dry periods.

Breeding. The breeding and birthing periods of Cape Kudus are seasonal, with rut in April-June and the majority of births in December—February, coinciding with rainfall peaks. Males stay with their maternal group until they are about two years old and then form loose all-male groups of mixed ages, during which they begin to establish the ageand size-based absolute dominance hierarchies that carry into their breeding years. Males do not attain breeding status until they are five years old, after which they tend to live alone, forming only temporary associations with females during rut. Mature males tend to mutually avoid one another, and as a result, aggressive encounters are rare. Females are seasonally polyestrous and about 50% of them give birth when they are two years old. Gestation is about nine months, and females isolate themselves to give birth to a single offspring. Neonates remain hidden for at least a couple of weeks, after which they may join their maternal group for brief periods during the day, less so at night. Their frequent absence from maternal groups in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, suggests a protracted hiding period, perhaps up to two months. Maximum longevity in the wild is probably about 7-15 years (longest for females); three females lived 22-3-23-5 years in captivity.

Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but likely comparable to the Zambezi Kudu.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Home ranges of Cape Kudus overlap extensively, and there is no evidence ofterritoriality. Average home ranges of male Cape Kudus in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, were larger (1: 6 km?) than those of females (0-97 km?). They varied depending on the habitat occupied, with larger home ranges of both sexes in non-succulent brush habitat (1-3 km?® for females and 2-4 km? for males) than in habitats dominated by the shrubby Euphorbia bothae (0-5 km? and 1-3 km?). Groups of Cape Kudus consist of small matriarchal clans of up to several females and their offspring, but temporary aggregations of a dozen or more kudus are not uncommon. Associations among individuals are more a function of reproductive behavior and cycles than environmental conditions.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List (included under Tragelaphus strepsiceros ); it does not differentiate the four species of greater kudu identified. In the late 1990s, the number of greater kudus rangewide was estimated at about 482,000, with 15% in protected areas and 61% on private land. All greater kudu species are threatened by human encroachment and associated habitat modifications (dryland and subsistence farming), excessive cattle grazing, disease transmission from cattle (rinderpest has been particularly hard on greater kudus), and poaching. Although numbers are greatly reduced from historical levels and populations are widespread, the species group is considered stable. Because greater kudus are highly prized as hunting trophies, private-land management plays an essential role in their conservation. Their horns also have been seen as symbols of male potency and used as religious artifacts, containers, and musical instruments. Cape Kudus play an important role in the growing ecotourism industry in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, and private game reserves have an important role in their conservation.

Bibliography. Bro-Jorgensen (2008), East (1999), Ellis & Bernard (2005), Estes (1991a, 1991b), Groves & Grubb (2011), Huffman (2004r), IUCN/SSC Antelope Specialist Group (2008bj), Kingdon (1982), Lydekker & Blaine (1914), Nersting & Arctander (2001), Perrin (1999), Perrin & Allen-Rowlandson (1991, 1993), Weigl (2005).

Figures

On following pages: 35. Cape Kudu (Strepsiceros strepsiceros); 36. Zambezi Kudu (Strepsiceros zambesiensis); 37. Northern Kudu (Strepsiceros chora); 38. Western Kudu (Strepsiceros cotton); 39. Common Eland (Taurotragus oryx); 40. Giant Eland (Taurotragus derbianus).

Distribution. Coastal SE South Africa , with isolated populations in C South Africa .