H. jemlahicus is reddish to dark brown in color and has a shaggy mane around the neck and shoulders and extending to the knees. H. jayakari is covered with shaggy, brittle, short hairs that are grayish to tawny brown. H. hylocrius is dark yellowish to brownish and has a grizzled area across the back. Although Hemitragus bears a general resemblance to Capra, it differs in that the males lack the beard, the muzzle is naked, the feet have glands, and the horns are not twisted but are somewhat laterally flattened. Female H. hylocrius have two mammae, whereas female H. jemlahicus and H. jayakari have four.
All species occur on rugged hills and mountain slopes.
H. jayakari occupies areas of sparse scrub vegetation, H. jemlahicus occurs mainly on wooded slopes, and H. hylocrius prefers grass-covered hills. These animals are wary and difficult to approach, especially from below. It is surprising with what ease and confidence they scamper about their uneven, rocky haunts. In its natural habitat this species was observed to travel in herds of 2-23 animals. The average membership of all-female groups was 4.0, while that of herds with adults of both sexes was 10.2.