Hemitragus bonali (SciiFii)

The Bonal tahr (Hemitragus bonali) is a species of bovid, most closely related to the Himalayan tahr, that originally lived from the Pleistocene of Europe and the Caucasus mountains region and was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction SciiFii and reintroduced to the modern mountainous areas of Europe, including the Caucasus mountains region, to help boost biodiversity. The Bonal tahr is a stocky goat-antelope with short, coarse fur and a bristly mane. Males are larger than females and of darker colour when mature. Both sexes have curved horns, reaching up to 40 centimeters (16 inches) for males and 30 centimeters (12 inches) for females. Adult males weigh 80 to 100 kilograms (180 to 220 lbs) and stand about 100 centimeters (39 inches) tall at the shoulder. The Bonal tahr is a herbivore and spending most of their time grazing on grasses and browsing on leaves and some fruits. The Bonal tahrs' short legs allow them to balance while reaching for the leaves of shrubs and small trees. The Bonal tahr consumes more woody plants than herb species with as much as 75% of the tahr diet consisting of natural grasses. The Bonal tahr, like most members of the bovid family, are ruminants and have complex digestive systems . A multi-chambered stomach allows the Bonal tahr to repeatedly regurgitate its food, chew it, and obtain nutrients from otherwise indigestible plant tissues. The Bonal tahr is adapted to life in a cool climate with rocky terrain, which allows them to be found in mountainous areas. During the rut, male Bonal tahrs often compete with other males for access to females. Factors that contribute to reproductive success include large body size, large horn size, and high aggression. Coat color is a factor that determines rank among Bonal tahrs, and males with light coats mate more often. In addition, the horns of the male are often used in the ritual process to court female tahrs (either for display purposes or, less often, for direct combat), although these horns can also serve as a defense mechanisms against potential predators. Bonal tahrs are polygynous, and males are subject to stiff competition for access to females. Young reproductive males roam and mate opportunistically (when larger males are not present), while more mature males (more than four years old) will engage in ritualistic behavior and fighting to secure mates. During mating season, reproductive males lose much of their fat reserves, while females and nonreproductive males do not, indicating a substantial cost to these behaviors. Factors that contribute to which males dominate include size, weight, and testosterone levels. Coat color can have an effect; Bonal tahrs with lighter coats are more likely to gain access to estrous females Bonal tahrs have precocious young which can stand soon after birth. Females have a gestation period of 180–242 days, usually with a litter size of only one kid. This indicates sexual selection can be extremely important to the fitness of males. The conservation status of the Bonal tahr is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts and the Bonal tahr's wide natural range.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii