West Caucasian Tur
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| West Caucasian Tur | ||||||||||||||||
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| Capra caucasica Güldenstädt and Pallas, 1783 |
The West Caucasian Tur (Capra caucasica) is a mountain dwelling goat antelope found only in the western half of the Caucasus Mountain range.
West Caucasian Turs stand up to one metre tall at the shoulder and weigh around 65 kilograms. West Caucasian Turs have large but narrow bodies and short legs. West Caucasian Turs have a chestnut coat with a yellow underbelly and darker legs. The horns are scimitar shaped and heavily ridged. In males these horns are around 70 centimetres while in females they are much smaller.
West Caucasian Turs live in rough mountainous terrain between 800 and 4000 metres above sea level where they eat mainly grasses and leaves and are preyed upon by wolves and lynxes. West Caucasian Turs are nocturnal, eating in the open at night and sheltering during the day. Females live in herds of around ten individuals, while males are solitary.
[edit] References
- Caprinae Specialist Group (1996). Capra caucasica. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 08 May 2006. Listed as Endangered (EN A1d+2cde v2.3)
[edit] Links
Capra caucasica on ultimate ungulate web
