African Mammal - Greater kudu | Natural History Museum of Los Angeles

The Making of a Diorama

The Habitat Views video considers ways of looking at dioramas today, and documents the creation of several new displays. Take a look over on our YouTube Channel >

Recreating Nature Indoors

Ever wonder who made the dioramas in our mammal halls? Read all about the artists who created these wonderful scenes. Learn more >

Do Dolphins Have Hair?

Our mammal researchers answer this and other questions on our Mammalogy FAQs page.
Learn more >

User login

Tragelaphus strepsiceros (Pallas, 1766)

Greater kudu diorama in the African Mammal Hall

Scene:

Laikipia Plateau, Kenya

Sponsor:

Maurice A. Machris and Mrs. Marjorie G. Avil

Background artist:

Frank J. McKenzie

Also present:

Northern Black Flycatcher (Melaenornis edolioides),
Pennant-winged Nightjar (Macrodipteryx vexillarius),
Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus),
Scarlet-chested Sunbird (Chalcomitra senegalensis),
White-helmet shrike (Prionops plumatus)

Greater kudus may be up to 5 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh up to 650 lbs. Males are much larger than females and only males have horns.

Greater kudus first appeared in the fossil.record about 1.8 million years ago. Of the living African antelopes, only the impala has a longer fossil record.

Biological Information

Range:

Eastern and southern Africa

Habitat:

Thickets and dense woodland, often in mountainous or hilly country, seldom far from water.

Status:

Endangered in Somalia and Uganda, vulnerable in Chad and Kenya.

Diet:

Wide range of foliage: herbs, vines, flowers, fruits, succulents and grass

Further information about this species may be found on the Animal Diversity Web page for greater kudu.

Public Service Notice