Greater kudu

Herbivores in Central Europe have hardly any natural predators. The great kudu of the African savannah grasslands however, must beware of the threats posed by spotted hyenas, lions, African wild dogs, leopards, cheetahs and Nile crocodiles. Young and sick animals are especially vulnerable to being preyed upon. The large bulls are able to defend themselves well using their impressive horns. Great kudus have excellent hearing and good eyesight, which enables them to perceive potential threats quickly. Their brownish coats with vertical white stripes along their flanks help them to remain camouflaged amongst the grass. If attacked, an antelope will warn the rest of the herd by making barking sounds. While these animals are extremely dexterous and quick in moving over the uneven ground characteristic of mountainous areas, they are not fast sprinters and have little hope of outrunning predators on flat, grassy plains. Instead, they attempt to lose their predators by vaulting over bushes, stones and small trees.