Fauna
Mammal · GBIF taxon 2441065

Blackbuck

Antilope cervicapra

Also known as Indian Antelope, Kala Hiran

Dominant male blackbucks display striking dark brown to black coats contrasting sharply with bright white underparts and spiraled, ringed horns. Herds bound across open plains at speeds exceeding eighty kilometers per hour to outrun predators like wolves and dholes. Males establish display territories on open lek sites where they strut with raised chins to court harems of females.

GrasslandFast RunnerHerding
Blackbuck reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Paulmathi Vinod, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Paulmathi Vinod · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Grasses
  • Forbs
  • Shrub shoots
Predators
  • Indian Wolf
  • Dhole
  • Leopard
ThreatsHabitat loss, agricultural expansion, feral dog attacks, illegal hunting
HabitatsGrassy plains, open scrublands, semi-arid savannahs
Life span10–15 years
Classification
  1. OrderArtiodactyla
  2. FamilyBovidae
  3. GenusAntilope
  4. SpeciesAntilope cervicapra
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Horned males can cause injury if cornered; observe herds from a safe distance.
What to notice
Look for dark brown males with long spiraled horns and pale tan females in open grasslands.
Support conservation
Maintain a distance of at least 100 meters and never chase or flush grazing herds with vehicles.
Responsible observation
  • Observe from Afar: Keep a respectful distance, as herds startle easily and flee at high speeds.
  • Look for Leks: Watch open clearings in spring where males defend small display territories.
  • Notice Pronking: High leaping bounds indicate an alarmed herd signaling danger to group members.
Related species
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