The Spiral-Horned Antelope In Africa's thick woodland shade, Where acacia trees have their trade, The greater kudu stands so tall, Most majestic of them all. With spiral horns that twist and turn, For which the hunters always yearn. Six feet high at shoulder's peak, These gentle giants, strong not meek. Their coat of brown with white stripes bright, Helps camouflage them from plain sight. Large ears that swivel, always keen, The most alert you've ever seen. The bulls wear crowns of twisted bone, That spiral upward, fully grown. Four feet of horn in corkscrew style, A sight that makes observers smile. While females, hornless, lead the herd, Through bushland thick without a word. When danger threatens from afar, They bark like dogs beneath each star. Their white-flag tails flash warning clear, "Predators and hunters near!" With mighty leaps they bound away, To fight another peaceful day. From South Africa to Sudan's border, These antelopes maintain their order. The lesser kudu, smaller kin, In eastern Africa begin. Both species grace the thorny land, Where ancient baobabs still stand.