How to Identify Bovidae

Bovidae is a animal family in the Animalia kingdom, order Artiodactyla, class Mammalia. The family contains 101 accepted species worldwide.

Key Identification Features

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Representative Bovidae Species

How to identify Raphicerus campestris (Thunberg, 1811)

Raphicerus campestris (Thunberg, 1811)

Raphicerus campestris (Thunberg, 1811)

Raphicerus campestris, the steenbok, is a small African antelope with defined ph…

How to identify Tragelaphus scriptus (Pallas, 1766)

Tragelaphus scriptus (Pallas, 1766)

Tragelaphus scriptus (Pallas, 1766)

Tragelaphus scriptus, the bushbuck, is a small tragelaphine widely distributed a…

How to identify Oryx gazella (Linnaeus, 1758)

Oryx gazella (Linnaeus, 1758)

Oryx gazella (Linnaeus, 1758)

Oryx gazella (gemsbok) is the largest oryx species, native to southwestern Afric…

How to identify Syncerus caffer (Sparrman, 1779)

Syncerus caffer (Sparrman, 1779)

Syncerus caffer (Sparrman, 1779)

Syncerus caffer, the African buffalo, is a large robust African bovid with disti…

How to identify Capra sibirica (Pallas, 1776)

Capra sibirica (Pallas, 1776)

Capra sibirica (Pallas, 1776)

Siberian ibex is a widely distributed Near Threatened wild caprine native to Cen…

How to identify Oreotragus oreotragus (Zimmermann, 1783)

Oreotragus oreotragus (Zimmermann, 1783)

Oreotragus oreotragus (Zimmermann, 1783)

Oreotragus oreotragus, the klipspringer, is a small sturdy African antelope adap…

How to identify Rupicapra rupicapra (Linnaeus, 1758)

Rupicapra rupicapra (Linnaeus, 1758)

Rupicapra rupicapra (Linnaeus, 1758)

Rupicapra rupicapra, the chamois, is a small bovid native to mountainous regions…

How to identify Naemorhedus griseus (Milne-Edwards, 1871)

Naemorhedus griseus (Milne-Edwards, 1871)

Naemorhedus griseus (Milne-Edwards, 1871)

Naemorhedus griseus, the Chinese goral, is a medium-sized mountain ungulate nati…

How to identify Madoqua kirkii damarensis (Günther, 1880)

Madoqua kirkii damarensis (Günther, 1880)

Madoqua kirkii damarensis (Günther, 1880)

Kirk's dik-dik is the largest small dik-dik antelope, native to African savannas…

How to identify Redunca arundinum (Boddaert, 1785)

Redunca arundinum (Boddaert, 1785)

Redunca arundinum (Boddaert, 1785)

Southern reedbuck (Redunca arundinum) is an African antelope with curved male ho…

How to identify Ovis aries Linnaeus, 1758

Ovis aries Linnaeus, 1758

Ovis aries Linnaeus, 1758

Ovis aries (domestic sheep) are small domestic ruminants with details on their c…

How to identify Bubalus bubalis arnee (Kerr, 1792)

Bubalus bubalis arnee (Kerr, 1792)

Bubalus bubalis arnee (Kerr, 1792)

Bubalus bubalis arnee includes river and swamp water buffalo, with distinct phys…

Browse all 101 Bovidae species →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify Bovidae?

Bovidae animals belong to the Artiodactyla order in the Animalia kingdom. There are two distinct clusters in the steenbok's distribution. For instant identification, use the iNature app — AI-powered and works offline.

What are the key characteristics of Bovidae?

Bovidae is classified in the order Artiodactyla, class Mammalia, phylum Chordata. Key facial features include a brown forehead, short black-marked ears, prominent preorbital glands near the eyes, and white lips and chin.

Sources: GBIF, iNaturalist, Wikipedia · Disclaimer

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