Kudu Kudu The kudus are two species of antelope of the genus "Tragelaphus": The name of the animal was imported into English in the 18th century from isiXhosa "iqhude", via Afrikaans "koedoe" part zebra part deer. Kudu, or koodoo, is the Khoikhoi name for this antelope. "Tragos" (Greek) denotes a he-goat and "elaphos" (Greek) a deer. "Strepho" (Greek) means "twist", and "strephis" is "twisting". "Keras" (Greek) refers to the horn of the animal. Lesser kudus come from the savanna near "Acacia" and "Commiphora" shrubs. They have to rely on thickets for protection, so they are rarely seen in the open. Their
Greater kudu and instead seek cover under woodland, especially during hot days. They feed and drink in the early morning and late afternoon, acquiring water from waterholes or roots and bulbs that have a high water content. Although they tend to stay in one area, the greater kudu may search over a large distance for water in times of drought, in southern Namibia where water is relatively scarce they have been known to cover extensive distances in very short periods of time. Predators of the greater kudu generally consist of lions, Spotted hyenas, and African hunting dogs. Although cheetahs and leopards also