Overview
This is the smallest subspecies of tahr with the other two being the Himalayan tahr and the Nilgiri tahr.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Bovidae
- Genus
- Arabitragus
Habitat
Mountains with steep, rocky slopes up to 6,250 feet (1,900 m) above sea level. Distribution- native to the Hajar Mountains of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Sultanate of Oman.
Diet
Primarily a browser but will also graze. These animals are highly dependent upon a regular supply of water and must drink every couple of days.
Behavior
Gregarious, in large herds, with adult males forming separate herds during the summer. The tahr has remarkable climbing ability on the steepest cliffs.
Hunting
Not currently hunted.
Conservation Status
Listed as Endangered by IUCN. Wadi Wurayah Fujairah is a preserve that was set aside by royal decree in the United Arab Emirates for the protection of the Arabian Tahr in 2009.