West Caucasian tur

West Caucasian tur
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Synapsida
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Subfamily: Caprinae
Tribe: Caprini
Genus: Capra
Species: C. caucasica
Binomial name
Capra caucasica
Güldenstädt and Pallas, 1783

The West Caucasian tur (Capra caucasica syn Capra caucasica caucasica[2]) is a mountain-dwelling goat-antelope found only in the western half of the Caucasus Mountains range.

West Caucasian turs stand up to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall at the shoulder and weigh around 65 kg (143 lb). They have large but narrow bodies and short legs. West Caucasian turs have a chestnut coat with a yellow underbelly and darker legs. Their horns are scimitar-shaped and heavily ridged. In males, these horns are around 70 cm (28 in), while in females they are much smaller.

West Caucasian turs live in rough mountainous terrain between 800 and 4,000 m (2,600 and 13,100 ft) above sea level, where they eat mainly grasses and leaves and are preyed upon by wolves and lynxes. They are nocturnal, eating in the open at night and sheltering during the day. Females live in herds of around 10 individuals, while males are solitary.

The wild population is estimated to be between 5,000 and 6,000 individuals.

West Caucasian turs in the wild nature. Territory of Caucasus Biosphere Reserve

See also

References

  1. Weinberg, P. (2008). "Capra caucasica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2008. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 31 March 2009. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of endangered.
  2. West Caucasian tur


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