Four-horned antelope

Males of the four- horn antelope

The four- horn antelope ( Tetracerus quadricornis ) is an Asian antelope of the family Bovidae. It is the only wild cloven-hoofed animals, which may result in the formation of four horns. Due to the loss of their habitat, the four- horn antelope, which is found only in India and Nepal, more rare.

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• 8.2 Literature
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Features

With only 55 to 64 cm shoulder height and a weight of 17 to 22 kg this is a small antelope. The coat color changes with the seasons. In summer the fur is reddish brown, light brown or cream colored. In winter, the coat is dense and changes its color to a dark brown. Significantly brighter the fur always on the inner sides of the legs and abdomen. Sometimes white patches can be seen on the cheeks. The snout and the backs of the ears have a dark brown color.

The most striking feature are the horns that are directed upward and straight. Only the males have horns, with the females they are completely absent. However, in males, it is not always for the formation of all four horns. The south Indian populations are always two-horned. If there are four horns, the rear pair of horns is always greater than the front. Sometimes the anterior horns are so poorly developed that they protrude only as hairless bumps from the fur. The horn length is 7-10 cm at the rear, front 0 to 5 cm.

Distribution and habitat

The four- horn antelope lives in India and Nepal. Its distribution area is now highly fragmented, the largest populations still exist in central India. From the main distribution area isolated stocks there is also in South and North India, in Nepal and in the Gir National Park in western India.

The preferred habitats are dry forests with a dense undergrowth. Less common are four horn antelope also in savannas and rainforests. However, conditions are the constant availability of water and the absence of human settlements in the vicinity.

Way of life

Activity

The four- horn antelope is a diurnal antelope. She hides mostly in the dense undergrowth, and is therefore rarely seen. In case of danger, they often remain motionless, only in cases of extreme threat she flees with leaps and bounds.

It is usually a loner, rarely they are seen in small groups of two to four animals.

Food

The food put fruits, flowers and fresh leaves of various plants dar. In two different studies, the Indian jujube ( Ziziphus mauritiana ) has been identified as the most commonly eaten plant. More coveted food plants are therefore Bauhinie ( Bauhinia racemosa ), Amlabaum ( Phyllanthus emblica ), acacia ( Acacia spp.) And myrobalan ( Terminalia tomentosa).

Reproduction

Four horn antelope reproduce all year round, but most matings take place in June and July. After a gestation period of eight months to two cubs are born. About 60% of births are twin births, 40% of single births. In most cases, however, comes by no more than a cub. The shoulder height at birth is 25 cm. The young stay with the mother for about a year, often to the birth of the next boy.

The life expectancy is even in captivity less than ten years, with the notable exception of a single animal that was 17 years and five months old.

Enemies

Apart from humans, cats and dogs are great enemies of the four horn antelope. For the Tigers, the four- horn antelope in various national parks 2-4% of the prey. Also leopards and Dhole provide proven by this antelope. Contrast could not be found that the Indian Wolf and the striped hyena belong to the enemies of the four horn antelope.

System

Because of the similar horn anatomy, it is assumed that it is the sister species of the four- horn antelope in the nilgai ( Boselaphus tragocamelus ). With a number of fossil genera ( Duboisia, Perimia, Proboselaphus, Selenoportax, Sivaportax ) these two antelopes form the tribe Boselaphini. Since the Miocene, these antelopes are demonstrated by the Mediterranean to Burma.

During the 1800s, several species of the genus Tetracerus have been described, including Tetracerus striaticornis and Tetracerus undicornis. The different coat colors and horn characteristics led to the false assumption that it was a number of ways. Today, all regarded as a single species, Tetracerus quadricornis together.

Occasionally, three subspecies are distinguished:

• Tetracerus quadricornis quadricornis in Central India is the largest of the subspecies; Males almost always have four horns
• Tetracerus quadricornis iodes in North India and Nepal is almost as big, but has shorter horns; Males usually have four horns
• Tetracerus quadricornis subquadricornis in South India is the smallest subspecies; Males always have two horns, the anterior horns missing

Threat and protection

The IUCN classifies the four- horn antelope in a vulnerable state. The total population is estimated to be less than 10,000 individuals. The most important reason for the decline is the destruction of the natural habitat. In India, as in Nepal four- horn antelope are state strictly protected.

Name

The Vierhörnigkeit the antelope is the salient feature ( antelope English Four - horned antelope French tétracère ) justified the designation in most languages ​​. The Indian language Hindi is no exception, the native name is Chowsingha ( " four horns ").

The original scientific name was Cerophorus quadricornis that was coined in 1816 by Blainville. Eight years later, the regrouping took place in the new genus Tetracerus. Genus and species name means in Greek and Latin "four horn ".

Sources and further information

Cited sources

The information in this article originate for the most part under the given literature source, in addition, the following sources are cited: