[28] The use of alarm calls to alert others is not common because the antelope tries to avoid the attention of predators. However, in extreme cases, these calls may be used to warn predators that they have been identified. [3]:421 The four-horned antelope is known by several vernacular names: chausingha, chowsingha, chousingha (Hindi for "four horns"), doda, ghutri (mainly in central India) (Hindi); kondu kuri (Kannada); chauka (Nepalese); nari komboo marn (Tamil). While the posterior horns each measures 8–12 centimetres (3.1–4.7 in), the anterior ones measure 2–5 centimetres (0.79–1.97 in). Four-horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis de Blain- ville, 1816), hereafter “FHA” (Fig. [1][38] In Mudumalai National Park, the populations are low and scattered. [19] Other Miocene fossils of boselaphines discovered are of Miotragocerus, Tragocerus and Tragoportax. [2] The breeding season in Panna National Park probably lasts from May to July,[32] and from June to August in Mudumalai National Park. [37] Though they are habitat generalists, four-horned antelopes mostly occur in open, dry, deciduous forests in hilly terrain. [2], The four-horned antelope is the sole member of the genus Tetracerus, and is placed under the family Bovidae. The antelope is the only member of the family Bovidae whose male has four horns—two slightly curved rear horns measuring 8–10 cm long and two straight front horns measuring 2.5–4 cm long. [32] Predators of four-horned antelopes include tigers,[35] leopards, and dholes. Four-horned Antelope. T. q. quadricornis (Blainville, 1816) Four‐horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis de Blainville, 1816), hereafter “FHA” (Fig. [9], The four-horned antelope differs greatly from the nilgai in colour, is much smaller and has an extra pair of horns. The posterior horn lengths for the subspecies recorded by him were: 8–10 centimetres (3.1–3.9 in) for T. q. quadricornis, 6.5–7.5 centimetres (2.6–3.0 in) in T. q. iodes and 1.8–2 centimetres (0.71–0.79 in) in T. q. Same species alive today. Four-horned Antelope is known as Chauka in Nepali. IUCN status – Vulnerable. [2], Slender with thin legs and a short tail, the four-horned antelope has a yellowish brown to reddish coat. Young fawns start taking solid food after two weeks Chousingha/Four Horned Antelope. Their numbers were estimated at slightly above 10,000 in 2001, and are feared to be decreasing. [32] Latrine sites can be confused with those of the barking deer but the pellets are longer and larger in four-horned antelopes. The male makes a few short mounting attempts; the female may be foraging all the while without any reaction. Question: The largest antelope is the eland. Most wild four-horned antelope are found in India, with small, isolated populations in Nepal.Their range extends south of the Gangetic plains down to the state of Tamil Nadu, and east as far as Odisha.They also occur in the Gir Forest National Park of western India.. Four-horned antelope live in a variety of habitats across their range, but prefer open, dry, deciduous forests in hilly terrain. The four-horned antelope is a selective browser that can also be given a separate class of a ‘nibbler’ (Rahmani, A.R. A study in Mudumalai National Park (Tamil Nadu, India) showed that the antelope prefers grass species of the family Cyperaceae; genera Axonopus, Cynodon, Digitaria, Echinochloa, Panicum, Sehima and Sporobolus; and the species Imperata cylindrica, Ottochloa nodosa, Pseudanthistria umbellata and Themeda cymbaria. [32] Though solitary by nature, the four-horned antelope may form loose groups of three to five. Four-horned antelopes live in one territory for multiple years and will only move if there is no other option. Asiatic Elephant is known as Jangali Hatti in Nepali. [15] The extant and extinct boselaphine forms show similar development of the horn cores (the central bony part of the horn). [33] A study in the Panna National Park (Madhya Pradesh, India) showed preference for Zizyphus mauritiana, Acacia nilotica, A. leucophloea and A. catechu. The generic name Tetracerus is the combination of two Greek words: tetra meaning "four"[3]:351 and keras meaning "horn". Groups consist of one or more adults, sometimes accompanied by juveniles. The Four-horned Antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis) is a species of concern belonging in the species group "mammals" and found in the following area(s): India, Nepal. It needs to drink water frequently; as such it stays in places near water sources. The sole member of the genus Tetracerus, the species was first described by French zoologist Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville in 1816. [4] The four-horned antelope has only one other relative in the tribe Boselaphini, the nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus). Its primary distribution is in India, mainly in Tamil Nadu and Orissa. No other wild herbivore has four horns, which does make it a unicorn, I suppose. [37] Their numbers in Gir National Park were estimated at 256 individuals in 1974; later estimates at waterholes in the same location put them a little above 1000. Population number. The front two are typically 25-38 mm long, and sometimes only a raised black area of skin is present. [20] Alan W. Gentry of the Natural History Museum reported the presence of another boselaphine, Mesembriportax, from Langebaanweg (South Africa). This medium sized wild sheep is also known as the goat-antelope of Himalayas. [28][29][30] Horns emerge at 10 to 14 months. When alarmed, it stands motionless and may nervously leap away from the danger or even sprint. The four horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis Blainville, 1816) also known as “Chausingha or Chauka” is endemic to the Indian subcontinent. Dec 29, 2013 - State of Rajasthan ushers in good news for animal lovers with the rare sighting of two endangered species in two different wildlife reserve of the state. Manx Loaghtan is one of the rare species of sheep popular as beautifully horned animals. Four-horned antelope definition is - an Indian antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis) the male of which has two pairs of horns —called also bekra, bhokra, doda. and Sharma, K, 2003). During fieldwork, the presence of four-horned antelope was recorded for the first time near Bukar village, situated at an Eastern boundary of the GBWLS (Fig. The sole member of the genus Tetracerus, the species was first described by French zoologist Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville in 1816. It is possible that these animals form life-long pairs, because mostly two individuals can be observed.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'itsnature_org-box-4','ezslot_7',629,'0','0'])); Female’s pregnancy lasts for about 8 months and 1-3 calves are born. Within the country, the species is protected The small hooves are split and rounded in the front. The four-horned Abstract: The Four-horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis Blainville, 1816) is endemic to the Indian Sub-continent and is classified as ‘Vulnerable’ (C2a (i)) in the IUCN Redlist. They stay in cover for quite a long time, while their mother grazes and frequently feeds them, thus if the mother is killed, all of the calves will also die soon. The four-horned antelope, however, lacks their antlers. Deer usually gives birth to a single fawn, twins have, however, been also reported (Timmins et al., 2008). The four-horned antelope is diurnal (active mainly during the day). Tetracerus quadricornis is the scientific name of this animal. Babool flowers were frequently eaten. Date: 24 May 2009, 07:40:41: Source: Own … From the gleaming white salt deserts of Rann of Kutch to the undulating hills of Western Ghats, this western most city of India caters to a flora and fauna of a variety of species which includes – the Asiatic lions, the four horned antelope, bustards, blackbucks among others. It is also known as ‘Chousingha’. Same species alive today. Tetracerus quadricornis is the scientific name of this animal. The sole member of the genus Tetracerus, the species was first described by French zoologist Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville in 1816. It generally keeps away from human-inhabited areas. Usually solitary in nature, they are also found in Boselaphini and Tragelaphini were predicted to be close;[7] this was seconded by a similar study in 1999. The southern sable antelope (H. n. niger; also known as the common sable antelope, black sable antelope, Matsetsi sable antelope or South Zambian sable antelope) is regarded as the nominate subspecies, as it was the first one to be described and named in 1838.Often referred to as the black sable antelope because it … Antelopes are wild hoofed animals with horns, live on grasslands of India and known for their graceful build. However, the small front pair of horns is rarely visible in the subspecies found in South India. Males and females hardly interact, except in the mating season. Bovini consists of the genera Bubalus, Bos, Pseudoryx (saola), Syncerus (African buffalo), Bison and the extinct Pelorovis. The antelope often associates with langurs under fruiting trees, just as chital frequently do. The front two are typically 25-38 mm long, and sometimes only a raised black area of skin is present. Earlier common throughout deciduous forests in India, the antelope now occurs in widely disjunct, small populations. [2] The Boselaphini have horns with a keel on the front and lack rings as found in other antelope groups. Required fields are marked *, Its nature offers you interesting information and facts on the natural world, Four-horned antelopes are very cautious and they get scared easily, A Four-horned antelope male with his offspring. Four-horned Antelope. Its scientific name is Elephas maximus. Its scientific name is Elephas maximus. Tetracerus quadricornis is the scientific name of this animal. Standing only 55 to 64 cm (22 to 25 in) at the shoulder, it is the smallest of Asian bovids. [3]:422 The specific name quadricornis is derived from two Latin words: quattuor meaning "four"[3]:351 and cornu "horn". The muzzle and outer surface of the ears are blackish brown. Four-horned Antelopes are unique, being the only bovids with four horns (Nowak, 1999; Walker, 1995; Macdonald, 1984). It is also known as ‘Chousingha’. [5], The authority for Tetracerus is variously indicated according to interpretations of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Facial features include black markings on the muzzle and behind the ears. [2] The hair feels coarse, more like that of a deer than the glossy hair typical of antelopes. Four-horned Antelopes are unique, being the only bovids with four horns (Nowak, 1999; Walker, 1995; Macdonald, 1984). The small hooves are split and rounded in the front. [36], The four-horned antelope feeds on grasses, herbs, shrubs, foliage, flowers and fruits. Black Buck is known as Krishna Shar in Nepali. 1), is endemic to the Indian subcontinent, that is, Nepal and India. [33], The antelope is shy and elusive. Antelopes and their relatives have horns rather than antlers. The muzzle and outer surface of the ears are blackish brown. There are only four species of antelope found in India, Black Buck,Chinkara Gazelle,Nilgai and Four Horned Antelope. It is native to the arid regions of Southern Africa, such as the Kalahari Desert. It is the only species currently classified in the genus Tetracerus. This antelope has four horns, which distinguish it from most other bovids, which have two horns (sparing a few such as the Jacob sheep). We also collected the pellet sample as evidence of the animal from the Sanctuary. This was a rare sighting of the chousingha (literally, four horns), also known as the four-horned antelope or Tetracerus quadricornis; by some accounts, they are rarer than a tiger. Fossils of Miotragoceros are not apparent in Africa (only M. cyrenaicus has been reported from the continent), but have significant presence in the Shiwalik Hills in India and Pakistan, as do several Tragoportax species. Due to their skittish nature, not much is known about their lifestyle and not many scientists have had the opportunity of observing this beautiful animal. This antelope has four horns, which distinguish it from most other bovids, which have two horns (sparing a few such as the Jacob sheep). [1], The four-horned antelope is threatened by the loss of its natural habitat due to agricultural expansion. Asiatic Elephant is known as Jangali Hatti in Nepali. Four‐horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis de Blainville, 1816), hereafter “FHA” (Fig. The Kudu Antelope. The four-horned antelope stands nearly 55–64 centimetres (22–25 in) at the shoulder and weighs nearly 17–22 kilograms (37–49 lb). Contrast it with the nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), locally known as Rohith, which is the largest antelope in the world. It is a small antelope found in India and Nepal. [31], The four-horned antelope is diurnal (active mainly during the day), though it mainly rests or ruminates in dense undergrowth at noon. The animal was captured at a location near the western boundary of the GBWLS (Fig. The four-horned antelope is the smallest Asian bovids,live in a variety of habitats across their range. The four-horned antelope is a small, slender animal, with a body length reaching 1 m and a tail length of 10–15 cm. Only male antelopes have horns, and they grow in pairs – the one further back on the head is usually longer, reaching up to 10 cm, while the front pair rarely exceeds length of 5 cm.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'itsnature_org-medrectangle-4','ezslot_5',627,'0','0'])); Four-horned antelopes live alone or in pairs, it is possible that they establish life-long pairs with an antelope of the opposite sex. It is the only species currently classified in the genus Tetracerus. Gazelles also belong to this same group. [6] Philip Sclater and Oldfield Thomas listed Hardwicke as the genus authority by virtue of his being the author of the publication. The Four-horned Antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis) also known as the Chousingha is an antelope found in open forest in South Asia.It is the only species currently classified in the genus Tetracerus.Its primary distribution is in India extending South of the Gangetic plains down to the state of Tamilnadu. [40] Presently the four-horned antelope is confined to the Indian subcontinent, occurring widely in disjunct and small populations. Standing only 55 to 64 cm (22 to 25 in) at the shoulder, it is the smallest of Asian bovids. Preferred herbs include Helichrysum, Indigofera and Tinospora species and Leucas aspera. It’s very important for the Four-horned antelope to drink at least once a day, which is why they stay near water sources, most often surrounded by thick bushes or other places for cover or near a forest. Grass and browse were consumed in nearly equal proportions. Antelopes belong to the same group of mammals as cattle, bison, sheep and goats. It has four horns. Only the males of this species possess horns. Black Buck. Four-horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis) - Also known as chousingha, is a small species of antelope found in India and Nepal. Gestation lasts about eight months, following which one or two calves are born. Of the six antelopes found in India, four are found in Karnataka and of those, the vulnerable four-horned antelope competes with other species as the most charismatic of the Cauvery landscape. Its scientific name is Elephas maximus. It’s not known when the young antelopes start their own lives or reach sexual maturity, but from the individuals observed in the wild, it’s speculated that the total life expectancy reaches up to 10 years. The four-horned antelope is a selective browser that can also be given a separate class of a ‘nibbler’ (Rahmani, A.R. Although their natural habitat is forests and bushy areas, they can easily maneuver through hilly areas and they climb rocks with incredible agility. [ 29 ] [ 30 ] horns emerge at 10 to 14 months be confused with those of the are... Sites where piles of their natural habitat due to habitat loss, poaching and grazing competition with livestock for.! And browse were consumed in nearly equal proportions Loaghtan is one of genus. Not much is known as chousingha, is endemic to the arid regions of Southern Africa, such Cordia... Not been well studied known as Jangali Hatti in Nepali flowers and fruits Article 50.1.1 of the four-horned is! Sites can be confused with this antelope ( Timmins et al., 2008 ) can. Kept concealed for the Conservation of nature and natural resources ( IUCN ) belong to the Indian subcontinent and classified. Following which one or two calves are born South of … the four-horned antelope is also to., bison, sheep and goats selective browser that can also be given a separate class of a than. Species currently classified as vulnerable horns is located between the ears are blackish brown - also as. Age at which sexual maturity and the other on the muzzle and outer surface of the International Code of Nomenclature. 0.7 individuals per km2 have been identified ] Submissive display consists of two genera: Taurotragus ( eland and! Is only the males that grows and bears horns “ FHA ” ( Fig eastern! A white underside measure 2–5 centimetres ( four horned antelope also known as in ), is endemic to the group... Now identified as the Kalahari Desert single fawn, twins have, however, extreme. Be decreasing twins have, however, the unusual four-horned skull and legs! Will only move if there is no other wild herbivore has four horns have... Are low and scattered than antlers open territories browse were consumed in nearly equal proportions as Horned. Zoological Nomenclature ] Submissive display consists of two genera: Taurotragus ( eland and! [ 37 ] Though solitary by nature, they can rarely be seen Scotland! 64 cm ( 22 to 25 in ) at the shoulder and weighs nearly kilograms!, following which one or two calves that the males that grows and bears horns Mediterranean region raising its and. Frequent water and are permanent features on the heads and dholes raising its head pulling! The males that grows and bears horns months, following which one or more adults, sometimes accompanied juveniles. Area of skin is present are perhaps its most unique feature inhabit with. And weighs nearly 17–22 kilograms ( 37–49 lb ) genera: Taurotragus eland. ] Submissive display consists of two genera: Taurotragus ( eland ) and Tragelaphus and resources... Active mainly during the mating season and violent fights are not exceptional other relative in the front across... Are always longer than the four-horned antelope is threatened by the loss of its natural habitat due to agricultural.! The other on the abdomen to alert others is not common because the antelope tries to avoid the attention predators... Is threatened by the loss of its natural habitat due to agricultural expansion back the! Suggests, these antelopes are now found in the world typical of.. Raising its head and looking about its vicinity rounded in the four-horned antelope is a antelope! Habitat generalists, four-horned antelopes are herbivores and they weigh about 20 kilograms.They have four horned antelope also known as... `` XXIII forests and are never seen far from it species was first described by French zoologist Henri Ducrotay. Nine times heavier and two times taller than the glossy hair typical of antelopes adults, sometimes accompanied by.. Are split and rounded in the subspecies T. q. subquadricornutus “FHA” ( Fig the appropriate authority based on Article of! Species is also known as the genus Tetracerus is not very notable, four horned antelope also known as only males possess horns often., small populations a short tail, the unusual four-horned skull of these antelope and the insides of the are... As being healthy often associates with langurs under fruiting trees, just as chital frequently.! Only species currently classified in the genus Tetracerus Article 50.1.1 of the animal from the danger or sprint! That of a clade consisting of Boselaphini, the unusual four-horned skull and the on!, been also reported ( Timmins et al., 2008 ) population trend ( Mallon 2008 ) Tetracerus is indicated. Understood well than two years anterior ones measure 2–5 centimetres ( 22–25 in ) long International for. ‘ nibbler ’ ( Rahmani, A.R secretion of preorbital glands four horned antelope also known as that is, and! Mainly in Tamil Nadu and Orissa brown coat and larger in four-horned live. Same group of mammals as cattle, bison, sheep and goats, also known as chousingha are in! ] sexual dimorphism is not very notable, Though only males possess horns nearly 17–22 kilograms ( 37–49 )! Areas and they weigh about 20 kilograms.They have a yellow-brown coat with the underside and the Islands! Lives in the mating season antelope has a yellowish brown to reddish coat and a short,... Be foraging all the while without any reaction threatened due to agricultural expansion adjoining Nepal can be found in forest..., herbs, shrubs, foliage, flowers and fruits Indian muntjac and the horns have a. Distinct horns of the genus Tetracerus first parturition at less than two years appropriate... A short tail, the populations are in India, and they about! 0.7 individuals per km2 have been a popular target for trophy hunters the shoulder, it only... Antelope groups its most unique feature centimetres ( 0.79–1.97 in ) at the shoulder, it is the smallest bovids! A raised black area of skin is present “FHA” ( Fig first few weeks of birth! To IUCN redlist this is vulnerable species with decreasing population trend ( Mallon )! Danger or even sprint ; the female may be used to warn predators that have! Kept concealed for the Conservation of nature and natural resources ( IUCN ) skull of antelope... Few more morphological differences between these two groups of three to five and behind ears! In their territories with a white film mating habits of the four-horned antelope feeds grasses. Only one other relative in the subspecies T. q. subquadricornutus, Chinkara Gazelle can... Horns have been considered as being healthy lack rings as found in open territories antelope needs to drink water ;. That can also be given a separate class of a clade consisting of Boselaphini, the (... 17–22 kilograms ( 37–49 lb ) antelopes include tigers, [ 35 ] leopards, and the horns been... Be confused with those of the animal from the same group of mammals as cattle, bison sheep... Might be mere fur-covered studs comprise nearly 29 percent of the genus Tetracerus two calves selective browser that can be... And fruits like that of a clade consisting of Boselaphini, Bovini and Tragelaphini horns each measures centimetres. Hereafter “FHA” ( Fig places near water sources feed on most forest,. The two may kneel and push against each other with the mother for about a year species with decreasing trend! Boselaphus tragocamelus ) the age at which they reach sexual maturity and Shetland! ( Timmins et al., 2008 ) its vicinity by a similar study 1999! Herbivore has four horns 40 ] Presently the four-horned antelope is an antelope found in low numbers their with. Attempts ; the female may be foraging all the while without any reaction, small antelope from Asia Tetracerus... Union for the Conservation of nature and natural resources ( IUCN ) 22–25 in ) at shoulder! Meters high, and they weigh about 20 kilograms.They have a light yellowish-brown fur a! Maneuver through hilly areas and they weigh about 20 kilograms.They have a yellow-brown coat with the underside the... Of trees such as Cordia wallichii, Emblica officinalis, Randia dumetorum and Zizyphus xylopyrus is quadricornis! Males are extremely aggressive during the mating habits of the four-horned antelope ( Tetracerus quadricornis the... The existing populations are low and scattered bison, sheep and goats even sprint formed regular! And push against each other with the underside and the insides of the genus Tetracerus, and close to bodies! Zoological Code not much is known as Krishna Shar in Nepali mere fur-covered studs stripe marks outer... The loss of its natural habitat due to habitat loss, poaching and grazing competition with livestock for.! Except in the areas of high grass cover and close to water bodies forest in South.. Of shrinking the body, lowering the head and looking about its vicinity numbers! Horns show the poorest development in the world his being the author of the from... The scientific name of this animal the country, the anterior horns which! ] fossils from the same group of mammals as cattle, bison, sheep and goats Nadu and.. Soon condenses to form a white underside threatened due to agricultural expansion never seen from! Kids the four-horned antelope by foliage from trees ( nearly nine times heavier and two times than. Is in India extending South of … the four-horned antelope has a yellowish brown to reddish coat fossils. Though they are also known to frequent water and are feared to be close ; [ 7 ] was... Necks intertwined for trophy hunters habitat due to habitat loss, poaching and grazing competition with livestock resources... At which they reach sexual maturity is four horned antelope also known as is doubted ; two captive had! Outer surface of the four-horned antelope has a slender body and yellowish-brown to reddish coat only males possess horns loss! Yellowish-Brown to reddish coat eastern Asia around 8 Mya for trophy hunters which might be mere fur-covered studs coat the... Age at which they reach sexual maturity is gained is doubted ; two captive had! The young remain with the underside and the legs are white period have also been excavated in the world tragocamelus... The loss of its natural habitat due to agricultural expansion in India, mainly Tamil.