Antelopes and Blackbucks
Antelopes
Bovidae also comprises the antelopes and gazelles. The antelopes and gazelles are called as the earliest ruminants.
They possess characters common to oxen as well as sheep and goats.
Antelopes have a gland below the eyes that is more prominent in antelopes like blackbucks.
The horns have a considerable length with a bony core.
Blackbuck (Antilope cervipara)
Blackbucks are seen in Point Calimere wildlife regions, Guindy national park and Velavadar wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat state, particularly. However, they are present through out India, in general. The horns are spiral in nature. The Indian races are attractive to look at.
The horms may be about 20 to 25 cms long and the animal may have eth body weight of about 40 kg in case of males in particular. The ‘Vishnoi’ people of northern India venerate and protect these animals.
Four races of Blackbuck in India:
- Cervicapra
- Rupicapra
- Rajputanae
- Centralis
Nilgai
In case of Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), the male animals are also called as Blue bull. They are seen in Himalayas to Mysore (Not seen in Bengal, Assam, Malabar Coast and Tamilnadu).
These are generally seen in dry deciduous and thorn forests of Indian peninsula and are large horse like animals.
Four Horned Antelope
Four horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis) are also called as Chowsingha, seen in south of Himalayas in both the wooded and hilly areas.
These animals have two pairs of horns and are exclusively seen in India. The front pair of horns is shorter and often, the first pair is no more than a horny covered stud or a mere knob as if a bony projection covered with the skin.
Another well developed feature is the presence of a pair of well developed glands between the false hooves of the hind limbs.
Chiru or Tibetan Antelope
Chiru are present in northern Ladak and also in Tibet.
These animals are related to the Saiga antelopes of the Russian steppes.
