Overview
Somewhat smaller and decidedly darker in color than the west Caucasian tur. The coat is uniformly reddish-brown in summer, with underparts whitish and the tail, breast and lower legs darker. Turns a uniform dark brown in winter, with underparts slightly lighter and the tail, breast and lower legs much darker. There is a small white rump patch. Beard is dark and very short (up to three inches, or 76 mm, in length), and difficult to detect in some animals. The horns are quite unusual for a goat, being smooth and rounded, curving above and behind the neck (supracervical), with the tips turning inward and upward; they are quite similar to those of the Himalayan blue sheep or bharal, but are more massive. Females have short, thin horns that grow outward, upward and back.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Bovidae
- Genus
- Capra
Habitat
Usually found in open, precipitous terrain at higher elevations (as high as 12,000 feet or 3,650 m), but may also be found lower down in thick forested areas. Descends to lower elevations in winter to escape heavy snow. Distribution- Eastern part of the Caucasus Mountains east of Mt. Dykhtau.
Diet
Prefers to feed on forbs and grasses, but will browse when necessary. Obtains water from small pools high in the mountains.
Behavior
Gregarious, sometimes in large herds numbering several hundred. Males and females remain separate except during the mating season. An extremely agile climber. They are sometimes killed by avalanches.
Hunting
This species is hunted in steep, high mountains where good physical condition is a must and long shots may be required. The horns resemble the blue sheep enough to have interested sheep hunters for a long time. The Ovis World Slam includes this tur for that reason.
Conservation Status
Listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.