Editing Lesser kudu (section)

{{Short description|Species of antelope}}
{{good article}}
{{speciesbox
| name = Lesser kudu
| image = Lesser Kudu Male (Tragelaphus imberbis).jpg
| image_caption = Adult male
| status = NT 
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn|author=IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group|year=2016|errata=2017|title=''Tragelaphus imberbis''|page=e.T22053A115165887|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22053A50196563.en|access-date=12 April 2022}}</ref>
| taxon = Tragelaphus imberbis
| authority = ([[Edward Blyth|Blyth]], 1869)
| synonyms_ref = <ref name=heller/><ref name=MSW3/>
| synonyms = * ''Ammelaphus strepsiceros'' <small>(Heller, 1912)</small>
* ''Ammelaphus australis'' <small>(Heller, 1913)</small>
| range_map = Tragelaphus imberbis map.png
| range_map_caption = Range map 
}}

The '''lesser kudu''' ('''''Tragelaphus imberbis''''') is a medium-sized [[bushland]] [[antelope]] found in [[East Africa]]. The species is a part of the [[ungulate]] genus ''[[Tragelaphus]]'' (family [[Bovidae]]), along with several other related species of striped, spiral-horned African bovids, including the related [[greater kudu]], the [[Bongo (antelope)|bongo]], [[Cape bushbuck|bushbuck]], [[common eland|common]] and [[Giant eland|giant elands]], [[nyala]] and [[sitatunga]]. It was first [[Scientific description|scientifically described]] by English [[zoologist]] [[Edward Blyth]] (1869). 

The lesser kudu’s nose-to-tail length is typically {{cvt|110|-|140|cm|in}}. Males reach about {{cvt|95|-|105|cm|in}} at the shoulder, while females reach {{cvt|90|-|100|cm|in}}. Males typically weigh {{cvt|92|-|108|kg|lb}} and females {{cvt|56|-|70|kg|lb}}. [[Horn (anatomy)|Horn]]s are present only on males. The spiral horns are {{cvt|50|-|70|cm|in}} long, and have 2-2.5 complete twists. The lesser kudus have very distinctive physical markings; females and juveniles have a golden-brown coat, with white vertical stripes on their sides, while the males develop into a dark grey colour—after about two years—and grow a pronounced “streak” of shaggy hair down the centre of their backs. Males retain the golden-brown color only on the shins, with the top of each thigh having a darker black band separating it from the grey body. The inner thighs are white. Males also have distinct black “masks” on their faces, with a black underside going up to the [[sternum]]. Males and females both display a series of unique white markings and patches, including white lips, two small spots on both cheeks, a spot at the base of each ear, two spots between the eyes, white eyelids, a white throat patch, and a patch of white atop the chest. These markings may aid in camouflaging and hiding amidst shrubbery, as well as helping to cool specific areas of the body by being white.

A pure browser, the lesser kudu subsists off of foliage from tall bushes, trees (fresh branch shoots, twigs) and herbaceous perennial plants. Despite seasonal and local fluctuations, foliage from trees and shrubs constitutes 60–80% of their diet throughout the year. The lesser kudu is mainly [[crepuscular]], preferring to be active after dusk until the dawn hours, seeking shelter in dense thickets just after the sunrise. The lesser kudu exhibits no territorial behaviour, and fights are rare. While females are gregarious, adult males prefer being solitary. No fixed breeding season is seen; births may occur at any time of the year. The lesser kudu inhabits dry bushland regions, bordering on arid grasslands, as well as scrubland and light open forest habitat.

The lesser kudu is native to [[Ethiopia]], [[Kenya]], [[Somalia]], [[South Sudan]], [[Tanzania]], and [[Uganda]], but it is possibly [[Local extinction|extirpated]] from [[Djibouti]]. It may have been present in [[Saudi Arabia]] and [[Yemen]] as recently as 1967, though its presence in the Arabian Peninsula is still controversial.<ref name="kingdon" /> The total population of the lesser kudu has been estimated to be nearly 118,000, with a decreasing trend in populations. One-third of the populations survive in protected areas. Presently, the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]]  rates the lesser kudu as "[[near threatened]]".