Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), male, with cattle egret friend, family Bovidae, India

photograph by Raju Karia

nilgai r so silly. why is ur head so little.

get a bigger head. silly.

images (x) (x)

The nilgai is the largest antelope of Asia, and is ubiquitous across the northern Indian subcontinent. It is the sole member of the genus Boselaphus, which was first described by Peter Simon Pallas in 1766. The nilgai stands 1–1.5 m at the shoulder; males weigh 109–288 kg, and the lighter females 100–213 kg. 

Animal of the Day!

Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus)

(Photo from Entomology Today)

Conservation Status- Least Concern

Habitat- India; Nepal; Pakistan

Size (Weight/Length)- 300 kg; 2 m

Diet- Grasses; Bark; Leaves

Cool Facts- The nilgai is the largest antelope in all of Asia and is only hunted by tigers, large leopards, and hyenas. These antelopes are sexually dimorphic with females being smaller and tawny in color while males are beefy and dark in color. Herds are made of  relatively small groups of bachelor males or mothers and calves. The only times males and females interact is during the mating season. During the fall, bucks strut their stuff for groups of females. When a competing male doesn’t back off, the two spar by ramming into each other’s thick neck skin with their horns. After a nine month pregnancy, females usually give birth to twins. Females will stay with their mother’s herd for years while the males will move off to join their own bachelor herd.

Rating- 11/10 (Considered sacred throughout much of India.)

Nilgai or Blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) @ Gir Forest National Park

By Gaurika Wijeratne

Nilgai By: Unknown photographer From: WWF Threatened Animals 1986

Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus

Observed by ygurjar, CC BY-NC

Circa 1920.

via

Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus)

The nilgai is the largest antelope in Asia, and it’s quite enigmatic- its scientific name actually translates to ‘cow-deer goat-camel’! Nilgai live in shrublands and grasslands across the Indian subcontinent, and are often seen as pests for the damage they do to farms. They have also become an invasive species in Texas. Despite being known to run up to 2,300 ft (700m) away if they feel threatened, they will also readily fight other nilgai with their necks and horns.

Nilgai: The Blue Bull

Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), male, family Bovidae, India

photograph by gabyrusu

Hi I’m Walter! 🐊🦓🦒🐫🐪🦏🦬🐃🐂🦌🫏

Day 5: Nilgai

What a tank! The blue bull! Free ranging nilgai in south Texas! This is an interesting and difficult hunt to say the least! I finally got a big bull! God is good! Video soon to come! #nilgai #nilgaihunting #exotics #texasexotics #hunting #texashunting #bluebull #outdoors #fun #trophy #big #huge #giant #antelope (at Falfurrias, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn5oYUbNtV4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Nilgai Notes.

The Antelope Learning. In the sacred tapestry of Shamanic Oracle wisdom, the Nilgai weaves a rich and multifaceted narrative, drawing upon the wisdom of diverse cultures and civilizations from across the globe. As we delve deeper into the mystical realms of Native American and African traditions, we uncover new layers of significance and meaning imbued within the noble spirit of the Nilgai. In…

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Nilgai By: V. Renard/Jacana Press Agency From: Éditions Rencontre Cards 1975