| West Caucasian tur | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Bovidae |
| Subfamily: | Caprinae |
| Genus: | Capra |
| Species: | C. caucasica |
| Binomial name | |
| 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 1 metre (39 in) tall at the shoulder and weigh around 65 kilograms (140 lb). 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 (28 in) while in females they are much smaller.
West Caucasian turs live in rough mountainous terrain between 800 and 4,000 metres (2,600 and 13,000 ft) 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.
The wild population is estimated 5,000 - 6,000 individuals.