Gray Goral
| Gray Goral | ||||||||||||
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Gray goral ( Naemorhedus goral ) |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Naemorhedus goral | ||||||||||||
| ( Hardwicke , 1825) |
The gray goral ( Naemorhedus goral ) is a cloven-hoofed species from the group of goat-like (Caprinae).
features
Gray gorals reach a head body length of 95 to 130 centimeters, to which a tail up to 18 centimeters long comes. The shoulder height is 80 centimeters and the weight between 35 and 42 kilograms. The color of the fur varies from light gray to gray-brown, the throat and legs are lighter and a dark line of eel stretches along the back . In winter the fur becomes longer and more shaggy. The males have a short mane along the neck. Both sexes have short, backward-curved horns that are 13 to 18 centimeters long.
distribution and habitat
Gray gorals inhabit the Himalayan region in China (southern Tibet ), Pakistan , India , Nepal and Bhutan . Their habitat are mountainous forests up to 4000 meters above sea level.
Way of life
Gorals are excellent climbers adapted to rough terrain. They are mainly active in the early morning and late afternoon, and during the day on cool days. They live in small groups, but older males are loners. Their diet consists of grasses, leaves, twigs and nuts.
threat
The main threats to the Gray Gorals include hunting and the destruction of their habitat. The IUCN lists the species as Near threatened .
literature
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World . Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9
- DE Wilson, DM Reeder: Mammal Species of the World . Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4
Web links
- Information and distribution map on ultimateungulate.com
- Naemorhedus goral in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2009. Posted by: Caprinae Specialist Group, 1996. Accessed November 17 of 2009.