Lesser Kudu and Greater Kudu: what is the difference?

What is the difference between the Lesser Kudu and the Greater Kudu?

The Lesser Kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis)and the Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) are both African antelopes.

The Lesser Kudu and the Greater Kudu are both ungulate mammals (they have hoofed feet).

The Lesser Kudu has no beard or fringe. The Greater Kudu has a beard along its throat or a white fringe.

The Lesser Kudu has more white stripes on its body than the Greater Kudu.

The Lesser Kudo has up to 14 vertical white stripes on its body. The Greater Kudu has 6-10 vertical white stripes on its body.

Kudu

Lesser Kudu (left) and Greater Kudu (right)

 

The Lesser Kudo has a white patch on its front neck. The Greater Kudu does not have a white patch on its front neck.

The Lesser Kudo has white stripes coming from its eyes. The Greater Kudu has a white chevron stripe between its eyes.

The Lesser Kudu is smaller than the Greater Kudu.

The Lesser Kudu is 160-175 centimetres (63-69 inches) long and 90-105 centimetres (35-41 inches) tall. The Greater Kudu is 190-250 centimetres (75-98 inches) long and 100-150 centimetres (39-59 inches) tall.

The male Lesser Kudu has smaller horns than the Greater Kudu.

The Lesser Kudu has 50-70 centimetres (20-27inches) long horns. The Greater Kudu has 100-140 centimetres (39-55 inches) long horns.

The Lesser Kudu can jump up to 2.5 metres (8 feet) high. The Greater Kudu is too big to jump very high.

The Lesser Kudu is native to eastern Africa. The Greater Kudu is native to eastern and southern Africa.

 

Kudu

Lesser Kudu (left) and Greater Kudu (right)

Lesser Kudu

Lesser Kudu

Lesser Kudu

Lesser Kudu

DSCF5092

Greater Kudu

Greater Kudu

Greater Kudu

 

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

 

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.