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
Lesser kudu spiral horns are long, and have two to two-and-a-half twists. The base circumference is . The slender horns are dark brown and tipped with white. Male young begin developing horns after 6-8 months, which reach full length after 3 years. The lesser kudu is mainly active at night and during the dawn, and seeks shelter in dense thickets just after the sunrise. It can camouflage so well in such dense vegetation that only its ears and tail can indicate its presence. The midday is spent in rest and rumination in shaded areas. The animal spends about 35% of daytime foraging,