What is the difference between Greater Kudu and Cape Kudu?

[Shawn Daly]

I'm new to the forum and having issues posting. I have a question regarding Kudu. What is the difference between Greater Kudu and Cape Kudu? I'm looking to hunt Cape Kudu in South Africa. I've heard that the size of Cape Kudu can vary in South Africa. Does anyone know the trophy size of a Cape Kudu in the Swaziland area? Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Chago]

I will let the vets come in and answer this. The major difference is size. The southern greater you can aim for 50+ pretty confidently. A 50 in the cape would be a absolute giant. High 40s are considered great trophy's there.

 

[gillettehunter]

I'm sure some others will chime in with more information. The Cape kudu seems to be a little smaller in body size and as mentioned anything over 45 inches is a pretty good one. The greater Southern kudu seem to have bigger bodies and longer horns. Usually ones I've seen hunted are over 50 inches. They rarely will get to be over 60 inches.
Bruce

 

[BRICKBURN]

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/east-cape-kudu.7562/

 

[BRICKBURN]

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/what-are-the-different-type-of-kudu.43320/

 

[BRICKBURN]

https://www.africahunting.com/media/kudu-distribution-map-south-africa.41491/

 

[BRICKBURN]

...... Does anyone know the trophy size of a Cape Kudu in the Swaziland area?

If you are hunting in close proximity to Swaziland you will be hunting a Greater Kudu.
Size - the full range up to monsters at 60 inches have been taken in KZN.

 

[Hank2211]

If further evidence of my pedant qualities was required, I should point out that most taxonomists would agree that there is no genetic difference between what is called the greater kudu and the Cape kudu. Both are Tragelaphus strepsiceros. Some people suggest that there are in fact southern, eastern and northern greater kudus, as subspecies of the greater kudu, but most scientists I believe dismiss those classifications. I have not seen very many - in fact can't find any at the moment - who argue that the cape kudu should be recognized as a subspecies. Note that the IUCN does not recognize any of the purported subspecies, which you would expect they would, given their mandate.

As someone who has shot what would be called the southern greater kudu as well as the cape kudu, I can attest to the fact that the latter tends to be smaller than the former, both in terms of body size and horn size. Having said that, regional variations in color or size do not necessarily imply different subspecies. There could be many reasons why kudu do not get as large in the southern parts of South Africa as they do elsewhere, none of which are necessarily related to genetic makeup.

I think the southern greater and the cape kudus are distinctions made by hunters or more particularly outfitters, who can't charge as much for a smaller version of the kudu (unless of course it's a lesser kudu!), but would still like hunters to take both. In this connection I note that SCI counts the Abysinnian, East African, Eastern Cape, Southern greater and Western greater among the kudu varieties for which they permit record book entries. No scientist that I'm aware of agrees with those designations, but it gives hunters something to shoot for. (pun entirely intended.)

 

[IvW]

I'm sure some others will chime in with more information. The Cape kudu seems to be a little smaller in body size and as mentioned anything over 45 inches is a pretty good one. The greater Southern kudu seem to have bigger bodies and longer horns. Usually ones I've seen hunted are over 50 inches. They rarely will get to be over 60 inches.
Bruce

There are no Cape kudu close to Swaziland