Saiga Antelope : Strange Species

Saiga Antelope

The significant feature of this species of antelope is its strange and over-sized flexible nose structure. Earlier it was wrongly considered that it drinks with its nose. It measures about 2ft to 2ft 7 inch from toe to shoulder and males are slightly larger than females. Male antelope has two well-developed helical thorns which are completely absent in females.

As per current status, it is Critically Endangered and only 50000 Saigas are alive today, but this decline in their number has occurred in the recent years only. When it was found in abundance, its hunting was encouraged by WWF under the Rhinoceros prevention program, since its thorns were considered as an alternative for preparing Chinese medicines. Originally it inhibited a wide area of Eurasian steppe and also lived in North America at the time of Ice age.

Saiga Antelope avoid steep or rugged areas but gaze in huge herds in vast semi desert steppes and migrate over long distances. They eat a large variety of shrubs and plants many of which are even poisonous to others. They are nice swimmers too. Saiga has a lifespan of about 6 to 10 years and their mating season starts in November. After the competition for mating, the winner gets the opportunity to lead a herd of 5 to 50 females. A female gives birth to 1 or 2 foals in springs (in 66% cases, there are 2 foals).
Credits: Image Source- Google Images

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