Gray Goral
Encyclopedia
The Himalayan Goral also known as the Gray Goral, is a small, rough-haired, cylindrical-horned ruminant
native to the Himalayas
. In the past, it was also known as Urotragus goral. The IUCN classifies the Himalayan Goral as "Near Threatened".
In addition to certain peculiarities in the form of the skull
, goral
s are chiefly distinguished from the closely related serow
s in that they do not possess a gland
below the eye
, nor a corresponding depression in the skull.
and Hindukush, usually between 1000 and 4000 m in elevation. Groups of animals typically occupy a territory of about 100 acre (0.404686 km²).
The Himalayan Goral can live for 14 or 15 years. The female gives birth after a gestation period of 170-218 days, usually to a single offspring. The young are weaned at 7 or 8 months of age and reach sexual maturity at around 3 years.
The Himalayan Goral often forms small bands of four to twelve individuals, although it is also known to pair off or, especially in the case of older males, be solitary. The animal is crepuscular
, being most active in the early morning and late evening. After a morning meal, it often drinks and then rests on a rock ledge through the day. It feeds on leaves and associated softer parts of plants, mainly grasses
The Himalayan Goral is very agile and can run quickly. Due to its coloration it is very well camouflaged, so that it is extremely difficult to sight it, especially since it spends much of the day lying still. However, it is hunted by various predators. When threatened, the Himalayan Goral will vocalize with hissing or sneezing sounds.
Ruminant
A ruminant is a mammal of the order Artiodactyla that digests plant-based food by initially softening it within the animal's first compartment of the stomach, principally through bacterial actions, then regurgitating the semi-digested mass, now known as cud, and chewing it again...
native to the Himalayas
Himalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
. In the past, it was also known as Urotragus goral. The IUCN classifies the Himalayan Goral as "Near Threatened".
Appearance
The Himalayan Goral is typically 95-130 cm (37"-53") in length and weighs 35-42 kg (77-92 lb.). It has a gray or gray-brown coat with tan legs, lighter patches on its throat, and a single dark stripe along its spine. Males have short manes on their necks. Both males and females have backward-curving horns which can grow up to 18 cm (7") in length.In addition to certain peculiarities in the form of the skull
Skull
The skull is a bony structure in the head of many animals that supports the structures of the face and forms a cavity for the brain.The skull is composed of two parts: the cranium and the mandible. A skull without a mandible is only a cranium. Animals that have skulls are called craniates...
, goral
Goral
Goral may refer to:* Three species of Asian ungulates in the genus Naemorhedus.* The Gorals, a people living in southern Poland, northern Slovakia and the Czech Republic....
s are chiefly distinguished from the closely related serow
Serow
Serow may refer to:*Three species of Asian ungulate in the genus Capricornis**Japanese Serow**Mainland Serow**Taiwan Serow* Serow, Iran, a city in Urmia County, West Azarbaijan Province, Iran*Alternative spelling of Serov...
s in that they do not possess a gland
Gland
A gland is an organ in an animal's body that synthesizes a substance for release of substances such as hormones or breast milk, often into the bloodstream or into cavities inside the body or its outer surface .- Types :...
below the eye
Eye
Eyes are organs that detect light and convert it into electro-chemical impulses in neurons. The simplest photoreceptors in conscious vision connect light to movement...
, nor a corresponding depression in the skull.
Ecology and distribution
The Himalayan Goral is found in the forests of the HimalayasHimalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
and Hindukush, usually between 1000 and 4000 m in elevation. Groups of animals typically occupy a territory of about 100 acre (0.404686 km²).
The Himalayan Goral can live for 14 or 15 years. The female gives birth after a gestation period of 170-218 days, usually to a single offspring. The young are weaned at 7 or 8 months of age and reach sexual maturity at around 3 years.
The Himalayan Goral often forms small bands of four to twelve individuals, although it is also known to pair off or, especially in the case of older males, be solitary. The animal is crepuscular
Crepuscular
Crepuscular animals are those that are active primarily during twilight, that is during dawn and dusk. The word is derived from the Latin word crepusculum, meaning "twilight." Crepuscular is, thus, in contrast with diurnal and nocturnal behavior. Crepuscular animals may also be active on a bright...
, being most active in the early morning and late evening. After a morning meal, it often drinks and then rests on a rock ledge through the day. It feeds on leaves and associated softer parts of plants, mainly grasses
The Himalayan Goral is very agile and can run quickly. Due to its coloration it is very well camouflaged, so that it is extremely difficult to sight it, especially since it spends much of the day lying still. However, it is hunted by various predators. When threatened, the Himalayan Goral will vocalize with hissing or sneezing sounds.