Nilgai

 

 

Physical Description :

  • Nilgai antelope are among the largest of the asian antelopes.

  •  They have a short coat which is yellow-brown in females and turns blue-grey in adult males.

  • Young ones are pale brown. The hair of the adult nilgai antelope is thin and oily, but the skin is thick on the chest and neck of the males.

  • There are patches of white on the face and below the chin.

  • They have slender legs which support their stocky bodies.  The head is long and thin and males have horns. They are black in color, sharp, and curved.

Head to body length – 180 cm – 200 cm ( 6.0 – 6.6 feet )

Tail Length – 40 – 45 cm ( 16 – 22 in )

Shoulder Height – 120 -150 cm ( 4 – 5 feet )

Horn Length – 120 – 240 kg ( 264 – 528 lbs )

RANGE : Peninsular India

HABITAT : Grassy steepe and woodlands

DIET : Leaves, grasses, buds, fruit

STATUS :  Is on the verge of extinction

Reason for status : Hunting and habitat destruction

Gestation : 8 months

Lifespan : 20 – 22 years in captivity / 10 – 12 years in the wild

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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