Markhor
| Markhor | |
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| Markhor.jpg | |
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| Species: | C. falconeri
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| Binomial name | |
| Capra falconeri (Wagner, 1839)
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Capra falconeri cashmiriensis | |
The Markhor (Capra falconeri) is a goat-antelope found in sparse woodland in the Western Himalayas.
Markhor stand 65 to 115 centimetres (26 to 45 in) at the shoulder and weigh from 40 to 110 kilograms (88 to 243 lb). Females are tan in colour with a white underbelly and a pattern of black and white on the legs. Males have a lighter tan colour with the same white underbelly and pattern on the legs, as well as a black face and a large amount of long shaggy white fur on their neck and chest which can grow to knee-length. Both sexes have corkscrew-shaped horns which can grow up to 160 centimetres (63 in) long in males, and up to 25 centimetres (9.8 in) in females.
Markhor are found at altitudes of 500 to 3,500 metres (1,600 to 11,500 ft) where they eat grass, leaves, and whatever other vegetative matter they can find, often standing 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 the domestic goat.
The animal is largely found in the Northern Areas of Pakistan especially in Chitral, Ghizar and Hunza regions.
About 2000 - 4000 exist in the wild. Markhor is National Animal of Pakistan.
Subspecies
- Kashmir Markhor, Capra falconeri cashmiriensis
- Astor Markhor, Capra falconeri falconeri
- Bukharan Markhor, Capra falconeri heptneri
- Sulaiman Markhor, Capra falconeri jerdoni
- Kabul Markhor, Capra falconeri megaceros
The site maker did not discuss about Kaigha's (Distt Kohistan )Markor atall. although there are plenty number of makkor found in Kaigha valley distt Kohistan.
References
- Template:IUCN2006 Listed as Endangered (EN A2cde v2.3)