Siberian gazelle (SciiFii)

The Siberian gazelle (Progazella altaicus) is a species of Asian gazelle, most closely related to members of the genus Procapra, and is the only extant member of the genus Progazella. The Siberian gazelle originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the temperate, boreal, and alpine open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, and scrublands across Siberia and eastern Europe to help boost biodiversity. The Siberian gazelle is a relatively small gazelle; it stands 60–70 centimeters (24–28 inches) at the shoulder. Males weigh 20–35 kilograms (44–77 lbs), while the slightly lighter females weigh 15–25 kilograms (33–55 lbs). Facial characteristics of the Siberian gazelle include white rings around the eyes, black stripes running from a corner of the eye to the nose, rufous stripes running from the horns to the nose, a dark patch on the nose, and a light forehead. The coat is thick and dark brown; a black band runs across the flanks, from the upper foreleg to just above the upper hind leg. A buff band occurs above the black stripe. Short, black streaks mark the white rump. The black tail measures 15–27 centimeters (5.9–10.6 inches). Males have well-developed preorbital glands near the eyes, which are used for scent-marking territories. Both sexes possess horns that curve slightly backward with the tips facing forward. The horns, highly ringed, measure 25–43 centimeters (9.8–16.9 inches) in males and 7–15 centimeters (2.8–5.9 inches) in females. A small fast antelope, the Siberian gazelle is claimed to have top speeds up to 80–90 km/h (50–55 mph). It is the one of the fastest large land mammals, after the cheetah (its main predator), pronghorn, springbok, and Thomson's gazelle. Siberian gazelles are mixed feeders. In spring, they eat mainly fresh grasses, but during the summer and fall seasons, they eat more browse, particularly foliage from woody plants bushes and herbaceous forbs. In winter, they may feed on branches, nuts, and pine cones to sustain themselves until spring. In the winter, they are mostly diurnal, but in the summer, they are active shortly after sunrise and before sunset. Siberian gazelles are social and the groups usually consists of 20-30 individuals in the summer, and 100 in the winter. However, herds up to 5,000 individuals are not unusual. The mating season is in the late autumn or winter; at this time, the males' throats swell in a goiter-like effect. Competition is vigorous, but fights rarely break out. The gestation period lasts for about 5-6 months. Births occur is June and July, when groups of dozens of females separate from the herd to give birth, rejoining the herd afterward. They usually give birth to a single young and occasionally twins. They weigh about 3 kilograms and can keep up with their mother after a few days. They will be able to mate after 17-18 months. The conservation status of the Siberian gazelle is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the Siberian gazelle's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii