Puku
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 Male (Zambia)
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| Kobus vardonii (Livingstone, 1857) |
The Puku (Kobus vardonii) is an antelope found in wet grasslands in southern Democratic Republic of Congo and in Zambia.
Puku stand about 80 centimetres at the shoulder and weigh from 70 to 80 kilograms. Puku are sandy brown in colour, the underbelly is a slightly lighter brown. Males have around 50 centimetre long ridge structured horns which are very vaguely lyre-shaped.
Puku are found in almost marshy grassland where they eat grass. Puku are crepuscular, they are active in the early morning and late afternoon. When scared, Puku repeat a shrill whistle sound. Females gather in herds of up to twenty individuals. During the rainy season many herds will come together for added safety, typically reaching around fifty females. Males hold territories and attempt to persuade herds of females to stay within their territories for as long as possible.
[edit] Other meanings
- Puku is also the Maori word for stomach, used widely by both Maori and non-Maori in New Zealand.
[edit] References
- Antelope Specialist Group (1996). Kobus vardonii. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 10 May 2006.
