Blackbuck

(Antilope cervicapra)

Live: India and Pakistan

Habitat: Semi-desert, open woodland and grassland

Diet: Grasses, herbs, fruits, leaves and flowers

Gestation: After 5 months, usually 1 offspring born

Longevity: 10 - 12 years old

Status: Near threatened

General: Blackbuck or Indian antelope, are a medium-sized antelope. The males are well known for their long, spirally twisted horns and for the black colour along their backs. The dominant male is darker than other males. In contrast, the females are hornless and fawn coloured along their backs.
Blackbucks live in herds ranging from 5 - 50 individuals. Outside the breeding season they stay in mixed groups, but in the breeding season, the males either form bachelor groups or defend territories. The females then wander from one male's territory to another. The males mark their territory by rubbing on small twigs and branches using glands below their eyes, or by leaving piles of dung and urine. If scared, blackbucks can flee at speeds of 50mph. They can also leap 6ft into the air to show the predator their stamina.
Blackbuck are close to being listed as vulnerable in the wild. They used to occur over all the Indian subcontinent, however, populations were decrimated by hunting for their meat and for sport and by habitat loss caused by human development.