Markhor
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 Markhor at the LA Zoo
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| Capra falconeri (Wagner, 1839) |
The Markhor (Capra falconeri) is a goat-antelope found in sparse woodland in the Western Himalayas. The word "Markhor" is Persian for "Snake Eater". The creature was featured in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, with a radio comment noting the meaning of its name.
Markhor stand 140 to 180 centimetres at the shoulder and weigh from 40 to 100 kilograms. Females are tan in colour with a white underbelly and a pattern of black and white on the legs. Males are a lighter tan with the same white underbelly and pattern on the legs, they also have black faces and a large amount of long shaggy white fur on their neck and chest. Both sexes have (corkscrew) horns, in males, they can grow up to 160 cm / 64 inches long, and up to 25 cm / 10 inches in females.
Markhor are found at altitudes of 500 to 3500 metres where they eat grass, leaves, and whatever vegetative matter they can find, they often stand on their hind legs to reach the top leaves of trees. Markhor are crepuscular, active in the early morning and late afternoon. Females gather in herds of up to nine individuals and males are normally solitary.
During mating season, males fight each other for the attention of females. These fights involve lunging until the two males' horns are locked together, and then twisting and pushing until one male falls. Markhor sound much like domestic goat.
The Markhor is officially the National animal of Pakistan.
[edit] References
- Caprinae Specialist Group (1996). Capra falconeri. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Listed as Endangered (EN A2cde v2.3)
