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| SCIENTIFIC
CLASSIFICATION |
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| COMMON
NAME: |
nilgai,
bluebuck |
| KINGDOM: |
Animalia |
| PHYLUM: |
Chordata |
| CLASS: |
Mammalia |
| ORDER: |
Artiodactyla |
| FAMILY: |
Bovidae |
| GENUS
SPECIES: |
Boselaphus
(ox/bull) tragocamelus (goat-like camel) |
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| DESCRIPTION: |
The
nilgai's short coat is yellow-brown in females,
and gradually turns blue-gray in males as they mature.
It also has a mane on the nape and back, a "hair
pennant" in the middle of the underside of
the neck, white markings on cheek and edges of the
lips, and a white throat patch. The nilgai has slender
legs and a stocky body, which slopes downwards towards
the rear. The head is long and slender. |
| MALE |
Males
have 20-25 cm (8-10 in) long horns which are straight
and tilted slightly forwards. |
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| SIZE: |
Shoulder
height 120-150 cm (4-5 ft.) |
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| WEIGHT: |
Approximately
120-240 kg (264-528 lb) |
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| DIET: |
Herbivores
- diet includes desert succulents, grasses, herbs,
and leaves of small bushes. |
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| GESTATION: |
Gestation
lasts approximately 8 months |
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| SEXUAL
MATURITY: |
Approximately
18 months |
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| LIFE
SPAN: |
Up
to 21 years |
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| HABITAT: |
Found
on the grassy steppe and in woodlands |
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| POPULATION: |
GLOBAL |
Unknown |
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| STATUS: |
IUCN |
Lower
Risk/Conservation Dependent |
| CITES |
Not
listed |
| USFWS |
Not
listed |
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| 1. |
Nilgai are the largest Asian antelope. |
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| 2. |
There is debate as to the origin of the name "nilgai."
Literally translated, it means blue cow. Some feel
this indicates the reverence in which the Tharu
residents held the animal. But with the introduction
of outsiders, the nilgai is now referred to as nilgaddi
or ghodggadaha ('donkey' and 'mule'), indicating
a change in attitude towards the animal. Others
feel nilgai is a reference to the male's slate blue
coloration. |
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| 3. |
When chased, nilgai can run up to 48 kmph (29 mph.). |
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| 4. |
Males
compete with each other by using threatening posture
displays and neck wrestling, sometimes leading to
both males kneeling and lunging at each other with
their horns. |
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| 5. |
Although
nilgai are normally silent, scientists have recorded
them roaring. |
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Though not listed by CITES or USFWS, nilgai still
suffer from habitat loss and poaching. Forests buffering
residential areas are on the decline and the animal
is losing its original habitat. However, poaching
is the major reason for decline, because of the
nilgai's preference for agricultural crops.
Nilgai are also prey for tigers.
Currently, there are 15,000 nilgai living in the
state of Texas and 10,000 in their native India. |
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|
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Parker, S. P. Grzimek's Encyclopedia: Mammals.
Vol. 5, New York: McGraw-Hill Publishing Company,
1990. |
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Nowak, R. M. Walker's Mammals of the World,Fifth
Ed. Vol. II, Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University
Press, 1991. |
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Spinage, C.A. The Natural History of Antelope.
New York: Facts on File Publications, 1986.
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| Top
B. K. Status and Food Habits of Nilgai (Boselaphus
tragocamelus) in Royal Bardia National Park.
Agricultural University of Norway. 1993. |
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