Strepsiceros chora (Cretzschmar, 1826)

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 : 616

37.

Northern Kudu

Strepsiceros chora

French: Koudou d'Abyssinie / German: Nordlicher GroRkudu / Spanish: Gran kudu septentrional

Other common names: Greater Kudu

Taxonomy. Antilope chora Cretzschmar, 1826 ,

Eastern Sudan.

Recent evaluations of museum specimens by C. P. Groves and P. Grubb show that four forms of greater kudu are diagnostically different. Synonym is bea. Monotypic.

Distribution. Extreme E Sudan, Eritrea, S Djibouti, Ethiopia (except inland highlands), Somalia (on the boundary with Ethiopia), NE Uganda, N & C Kenya to Tanzania border. Demarcation of the distribution between the Northern Kudu and the Zambezi Kudu (S. zambesiensis) in S Kenya and N Tanzania requires additional research.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 236-245 cm (males) and 214 cm (one female), tail 32-51 cm, shoulder height 128-152 cm (males) and 128 cm (one female). No specific weights are available, but male Northern Kudus are about 150% heavier that females. Greater kudus are the tallest of the African antelopes, after elands (7aurotragus spp.), with the longest and most widely spiraled horns on males. Male Northern Kudus are pale gray-brown, with a big facial chevron and a long pale nuchal mane that has dark brown tips. They also have throat and nape manes, but the throat mane is very short and dark in some locations and restricted to the lower throat. Males have 3-7 stripes. Their feet have black or brown pasterns, with a whitish band above the hooves. The backs of the large cup-shaped ears are wholly black or dark gray (except rims), or may be black distally. The average straight-line horn lengths of male Northern Kudus are 83:2-90. 3 cm, and average tip-to-tip lengths are 59.4-63 cm; exceptional horn lengths along the outside curve may reach 145 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. Female Northern Kudus are dull to pale brown, and they have full facial chevrons. Females have three stripes on the haunches, three others well spaced farther forward, and a vague stripe between the two groups of three. The backs of the ears are dark; dark rings surround all four round hooves; no mane,just very slightly lengthened hair on nape and throat. Females lack horns. Dental formulais 10/3, C0/1,P 3/3,M 3/3 (<2) =33.

Habitat. There is no specific information available for this species, but likely similar to other greater kudu species, with a preference for shrub woodlands with protective cover. Early accounts suggested that populations in the east-central part of its range were not as restricted to densely wooded habitats. In Ethiopia, the Northern Kudu is reportedly found at elevations up to 2400 m.

Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but likely primarily a browser and comparable to other greater kudu species. 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. There is no specific information available for this species, but likely comparable to other greater kudu species. Maximum longevity in the wild is probably about 7-15 years (longer for females); one captive female lived almost 21 years in captivity.

Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but likely comparable to other greater kudu species.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no specific information available for this species, but likely sedentary and occupying relatively small home ranges comparable to other greater kudu species.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List (under Tragelaphus strepsiceros ); it does not differentiate the four species of greater kudu identified here. In the late 1990s, the number of greater kudus range-wide was estimated at about 482,000, with 15% in protected areas and 61% on private land. Numbers are greatly reduced from historic levels and populations are widespread; the status of the Northern Kudu is considered unsatisfactory, with little known about specific population levels. One isolated population that lived in north-central Somalia is extinct. Political strife in the region adds to the concern. Because greater kudus are highly prized as hunting trophies, private-land management plays an essential role in their conservation. Their horns have played a role in local customs, as symbols of male potency and religious artifacts. They are also used as containers and musical instruments.

Bibliography. Bro-Jorgensen (2008), Dollman & Burlace (1928), East (1999), Estes (1991a, 1991b), Groves & Grubb (2011), Heckel & Houssein (2008), Huffman (2004r), IUCN/SSC Antelope Specialist Group (2008bj), Kingdon (1982), Lydekker & Blaine (1914), Nersting & Arctander (2001), Weigl (2005), Yalden et al. (1996).

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. Extreme E Sudan , Eritrea , S Djibouti , Ethiopia (except inland highlands), Somalia (on the boundary with Ethiopia ), NE Uganda , N & C Kenya to Tanzania border. Demarcation of the distribution between the Northern Kudu and the Zambezi Kudu (S. zambesiensis) in S Kenya and N Tanzania requires additional research.