Overview
A very distinctive animal that is closely related only to the saiga. Medium-sized, with a swollen nose and spectacular horns. The coat is short, dense and woolly, the legs are slender and the nose is swollen at the sides, not over the top as it is in the saiga. Color is pale fawn, with underparts, rump and throat white. Face and front of legs are dark. The horns (males only) are long and slender, black, ringed on the front surface, and rise nearly vertically from the head. Largest recorded horns (Rowland Ward, 1891) are 27-3/4 inches (70.5 cm) in length, 6-1/8 inches (15.6 cm) in circumference, but 20 inches (51 cm) is considered good.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Bovidae
- Genus
- Pantholops
Habitat
Remote plains and high valleys far above cultivation and never near human habitation. Distribution- Tibetan Plateau from Ladakh to northern Tibet, at altitudes of 12,000-18,000 feet (3,600-5,500 m).
Diet
Primarily a grazer.
Behavior
Generally in small herds, though occasionally in large numbers. Mates in November-December, with males forming harems that are fiercely defended, sometimes resulting in severe wounds or death to one or both contestants. The young are born in May. Grazes mornings and evenings, especially along grassy edges of glacial streams. During the day it rests in hollows it has excavated in the plain, where it is concealed, sheltered from wind, and able to detect danger at a great distance. Wary, with good vision, and a swift runner able to outrun wild dogs and wolves. Runs with its horns held high in proud display.
Conservation Status
Listed as Near Threatened by IUCN.