About Hemitragus hylocrius (Ogilby, 1838)
Scientific Nomenclature
Description: The Nilgiri tahr, scientifically named Hemitragus hylocrius (Ogilby, 1838), is a stocky goat-like animal with short, coarse fur and a bristly mane.
Sexual Size & Color Dimorphism
Mature males are larger than females, and have a darker colouration.
Horn Morphology
Both sexes have curved horns: male horns reach up to 40 cm (16 in), while female horns reach up to 30 cm (12 in).
Adult Male Size & Weight
Adult males weigh 80 to 100 kg (180 to 220 lb), and stand roughly 100 cm (39 in) tall at the shoulder.
Male Back Patch Nickname
As adult males grow, they develop a light grey patch on their backs, which gives them the local nickname "saddlebacks".
Geographic Range
Distribution and habitat: The Nilgiri tahr is found exclusively in India.
Habitat Type
It lives in the open montane grasslands of the South Western Ghats montane rain forests ecoregion.
Elevation Range
This habitat occurs at elevations between 1,200 to 2,600 m (3,900 to 8,500 ft), where forests open into large grasslands dotted with small pockets of stunted forest that are known locally as sholas.
Habitat Boundary
These grassland habitats are surrounded by dense forests at lower elevations.
Historical Population Threats
Historically, Nilgiri tahrs lived in large herds across these grasslands, but 19th-century hunting and poaching reduced their population.
