4. • The scientific name of black buck is Antilope
cervicapra which is a latin word where ANTILOPE
means “horned animal”, CERVI means “deer”,
CAPRA means “she goat”.
• The vernacular name BLACK BUCK is a reference
to the dark brown to black color of the dorsal
part of the coat of the male.
• It is also called as INDIAN ANTILOPE.
INTRODUCTION
5.
6. TAXONOMY & EVOLUTION
• They are sole members of genus
Antilope & is classified under family
Bovidae.
• The species was discovered and given
its binomial name by swedish zoologist
CARL LINNAEUS in 10th edition of
systema naturae in 1758.
7.
8. CHARACTERSTICS
• Moderate sized, stands upto 74 to 84 cm high at shoulder and head
to body length is 120 cm.
• Males weight 20 to 57 kgs and average is 38 kg and females are
lighter and weighs 20 to 33 kgs and average is 27 kgs.
• Sexual dimorphism is prominent and males are heavier and darker
then females and long ringed horns are present.
• White fur present on chin and eyes is in sharp contrast with the
black strip on the face, darkness increases with the age.
• Females and young ones are yellowish fawn to tan they moult in
spring.
9. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
• It is native to Indian sub continent but extent in
Bangladesh.
• In Nepal the last surviving population of
blackbuck inhabits the BLACKBUCK
CONSERVATION AREA south of the BARDIA
NATIONAL PARK.
• They inhabits grassy plains and thinly forested
area where perennail water sources are available
for its daily need to drink.
• Scrub lands are a good source of forage.
10.
11. ECOLOGY AND BEHAVIOUR
• Diurnal
• Three kinds of small groups FEMALE HERDS,
TERITORIAL MALES AND BACHLOR MALES.
• Group size fluctuate, large herds have an edge over
smallerones so that danger can be deducted faster.
• Great time is spend in feeding and runs at the speed of
80KMPH.
• Males often adpot lekking as a strategy on the part of
males to garner females for matting.
• Territories are marked with scent and other males are
not allowed but females are allowed.
• They are affected by floods, drought, wolves, ceetah,
dogs and jackals.
12. DIET
• Herbivores, graze on low grasses.
• Prefer sedges fall witch grass mesquite and
live oak.
• Browse on Acacia trees.
13. REPRODUCTION
• Females become mature at 8 months but does not mate
earlier than 2 years , males mature later 1.5 yrs.
• Matting takes places from august to october and from
march from April.
• They use aggressive display to defend other males and
they pursue their females by pointing their nose upward
and smells her urine, and shows a flehmen response
and females shows her receptivity.
• Gestation is typically six months long after which single
calf is born.
• Life span is 10 to 15 yrs.
15. CONSERVATION
• Hunting is prohibited under sechdule 1 of WILD LIFE
PROTECTION ACT 1972.
• There are some protected areas like GIR FOREST
NATIONAL PARK, GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD SANTUARY,
KANHA NATIONAL PARK , NATIONAL CHAMBAL
SANTUARY, RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK
