About Hemitragus hylocrius (Ogilby, 1838)
Description: The Nilgiri tahr, scientifically named Hemitragus hylocrius (Ogilby, 1838), is a stocky goat-like animal with short, coarse fur and a bristly mane. Mature males are larger than females, and have a darker colouration. 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 males weigh 80 to 100 kg (180 to 220 lb), and stand roughly 100 cm (39 in) tall at the shoulder. As adult males grow, they develop a light grey patch on their backs, which gives them the local nickname "saddlebacks". Distribution and habitat: The Nilgiri tahr is found exclusively in India. It lives in the open montane grasslands of the South Western Ghats montane rain forests ecoregion. 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. These grassland habitats are surrounded by dense forests at lower elevations. Historically, Nilgiri tahrs lived in large herds across these grasslands, but 19th-century hunting and poaching reduced their population.
