Boselaphus tragocamelus

(Pallas, 1766)

Vernacular names
English : Nilgai
French : Nilgaut

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Cetartiodactyla
Family : Bovidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Body length of 2.10 m, shoulder height of 1.40 m for a weight up to 288 kg. Males are grey with dark legs, hair tuft on neck and small horns. Females are beige brown with no horns. Both sexes have white chin, muzzle and leg markings.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in southern Asia, from north-east Pakistan and south Nepal to most of India apart from far south lands. Lives in open grassy areas and woodlands on undulating terrain.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix III
Status : The species has adapted to life in Agricultural areas and has been introduced to USA and Mexico. No major declines have been noted recently.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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