Overview
The key difference in Gorals and Serows is that Serows have a lower canine and usually Gorals do not. This serow is grizzled black or dark gray above, turning to rusty red on throat, chest, flanks, hindquarters and upper legs. A darker black dorsal line is sometimes visible. Underparts and lower legs are dirty white. Chin and inside of ears are white. The head is reddish-brown in Kashmir populations. The lower legs are a mixture of red and white in the northern Bengal race. The Punjab race has a woolly undercoat.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Bovidae
- Genus
- Capricornis
Habitat
They can be found inhabiting rocky hills, mountians, canyons, dense vegetation, and forest. They can live at both high and low elevations. When their range overlaps with gorals they are generally found at lower elevations than their counterpart. Distribution- Himalayan region of Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan.
Diet
This animal is a selective browser and will also graze. They eat a variety of leaves, needles, shoots, acorns, grasses, flowers, and fruits when available.
Behavior
Slower and less agile than Gorals. Unlike Gorals, they use their preorbital glands when marking their scent.
Hunting
There is a great deal of unregulated hunting that occurs, but habitat destruction is also a main threat. A regulated legal hunting market would combat both of these issues facing all Serow subspecies.
Conservation Status
Listed as Near Threatened by IUCN.