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 prey on greater kudus, they are unable to bring down a bull, and consequently target the more vulnerable cows and offspring. There are several instances reported where Nile crocodiles have preyed on greater kudus, although based on records the larger mammalian carnivores statistically are much more dangerous to the kudu and comparable large ungulates, or at least those with a preference for dry, upland habitats over riparian or swamp areas. When a herd is threatened by predators, an adult (usually female) will issue a bark to alert the rest of the herd. Despite being very nimble over rocky hillsides and