Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Artiodactyla
• Family: Bovidae
• Subfamily: Antilopinae
• Genus: Antilope
• Species: Antilope cervicapra

Geographic Range

Palearctic, Oriental: The blackbuck is found in Pakistan and India

Physical Characteristics

Body Length: 100-150 cm / 3.3-5 ft.
Shoulder Height: 60-85 cm / 2-2.8 ft.
Tail Length: 10-17 cm / 4-6.8 in.
Mass: 25-35 kg / 55-77 lb.

Adult bucks stand approximately 73.7 - 83.8cm at the shoulder and on average have a head and body length of 120cm. The blackbuck is one of the few antelope whose color differs between sexes. The males are rich dark brown above, on the sides, and on the outside of the legs. Females tend to be yellowish in the same areas. Both sexes exhibit white underparts and insides of the legs, and a prominent white circular patch around the eye. Also, males gradually become darker with age. Blackbucks have a graceful and slender build. The horns are borne only by males and range from 50 - 61 cm; they are ringed at the base and twist spirally up to approximately 4 turns. The narrow muzzle is sheeplike, the tail is short, and the hooves are delicate and sharply pointed.

Natural History

Food Habits
Blackbuck are grazers, they feed on short grass and various cultivated cereals. Concerning their drinking habits, T.J. Roberts writes, " It has been reliably established that they do not drink water even when it is available . . . It may be, that they can recirculate the nitrogen in their bodies rather than having to excrete it in their urine."

Reproduction
Mating occurs throughout the year, with the most rutting activity in March - April and August - October. During the rut, the mature male establishes a territory by regularly depositing feces in particular places. Males are extremely aggressive during this time and drive all other males from their territory by a throaty grunt and an occasional horn fight. The gestation period is about six months, and most of the time a single young is born. The young is able to run about soon after birth.

Behavior
Blackbucks are gregarious and social animals with herds generally ranging from 5 to 50 animals. The herds are harems, with a single adult male and a number of adult females and their young. They tend to be diurnal during the cool season. In the hot season, they are active in the very early morning and late afternoon, resting in the shade at other times. Because of past persecutions, blackbuck are very shy and wary. Their sense of smell and hearing are not highly developed so they rely on eyesight in detecting danger. When in danger, a single animal bounds in the air and is soon followed by the rest of the herd. These animals have great speed and endurance; when in danger they can maintain a gallop with a speed of 40mi/hr for approximately 15 miles. They are usually silent, but sometimes females give a hissing noise that warns the herd of danger.

Habitat
Blackbuck live on open woodlands and semi-desert areas, but also enjoy areas with thorn or dry deciduous forest. They like to stay near areas where grassland is available. On hot days blackbucks rest in the shade.

Biomes: temperate grassland, tropical savanna & grasslands

Economic Importance for Humans

Positive
The blackbuck is prized for its meat.

Negative
Blackbucks have a tendency to raid crops, particularly sorghum and millet. As a result, farmers lose crops and money. Many farmers set up traps and hunt the blackbuck to stop them from destroying crops.

Conservation

Status: no special status

The blackbuck was once the most abundant hoofed mammal in India and Pakistan, but their populations have been greatly reduced through excessive hunting and loss of habitat due to agricultural development.

References

Nowak, R. 1983. Walker's Mammals of the World, 4th ed. John Hopkins UP

Roberts, T.J. 1977. The Mammals of Pakistan, 1st ed. Ernest Benn Limited.

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