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Classification
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Kobus
vardonii
Puku
Taxonomy
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General Characteristics
Body Length: 126-142 cm / 4.2-4.6 ft.
Shoulder Height: 77-83 cm / 31-33 in.
Tail Length: 28-32 cm / 11-13 in.
Weight: 62-90 kg / 136-198 lb.The coarse coat is a uniform golden brown in colour, with the underparts, including the underside of the tail, being slightly paler. The forehead area is generally darker than the body, while there are inconspicuous off-white areas around the eyes and lips. Around the edge of the ears is a fine black rim. The body is heavy with a level back, and the legs are somewhat shorter than the others in the genus Kobus and without any markings. The strongly ridged horns are found only in males. Less lyrate than those of the kob, they grow 45-53 cm / 18-21 inches long.
Ontogeny and Reproduction
Gestation Period: 8 months.
Young per Birth: 1
Weaning: After 6 months.
Sexual Maturity: 12-14 months.
Life span: Up to 17 years.Breeding occurs year-round, with a peak from May to September.
Ecology and Behavior
Feeding activity of the puku is generally limited to the early mornings and late afternoons, although this period may extend long after dark. The puku is more adaptable in terms of habitat requirements than the kob, and will inhabit areas of open woodland if conditions are suitable. During the rainy season, populations spread out on higher ground, descending to the margins of watercourses during the dry season. At this time, smaller groups may join together to form parties of 50 or more animals. When alarmed, the puku emits a shrill, repeated whistle. Solitary males hold territories throughout the year, and each attempts to induce a herd of females to remain on his patch of ground for as long as possible. These territories are spaced out over a considerable distance, and no lekking behavior (as seen in kob) has been recorded.Family group: Small maternal of 6-20 animals, adult males solitary or in bachelor groups.
Diet: Grasses.
Main Predators: Lion, leopard, hyena, Cape hunting dog.
Distribution
Floodplain grasslands near water in central southern Africa.
Range Map (Redrawn from IEA, 1998)
Conservation Status
The puku is considered a low risk, conservation dependent species by the IUCN (1996).
Remarks
Although sometimes classified as a southern subspecies of the kob, the puku is now generally considered a species unto itself. Puku is an African native name. Kobus (New Latin) from koba, an African name. The puku was named in honour of Major Frank Vardon, an English elephant hunter, and a friend of Livingstone when in Africa about the year 1850.
Literature Cited
Alden, P. C., R. D. Estes, D. Schlitter, and B. McBride. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to African Wildlife. New York: Chanticleer Press.IEA (Institute of Applied Ecology). 1998. Kobus vardonii. In African Mammals Databank - A Databank for the Conservation and Management of the African Mammals Vol 1 and 2. Bruxelles: European Commission Directorate. Available online at http://gorilla.bio.uniroma1.it/amd/amd342b.html
Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals. Academic Press, London and New York: NaturalWorld.
Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder [editors]. 1993. Mammal Species of the World (Second Edition). Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press. Available online at http://nmnhwww.si.edu/msw/
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© Brent Huffman, www.ultimateungulate.com |
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