Animal Spotlight: Markhors

Hey readers! This blog is going to post fun facts about weird animals in Animal Spotlights. Sit back and enjoy!

Markhors (Capra Falcneri) are a large species of wild goat. Their name is thought to be from Persian, meaning 'snake eater'. It can be an interpretation of its ability to kill snakes or its spiral horns that seemingly resemble coiling snakes.
Description
The markhor is easily recognized by its unique horns that can grow up to 1.5 meters in length for the males. It can also be identified by its long white winter hair. Female markhors have horns that are considered large for goats but their horns are generally less than 50cm in length.

Habitat
This animal lives around mountainous areas in Central Asia. Its range of habitat spans over Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Markhors typically inhabit scrub forests and can be found between 600 and 3600 meters in elevation.

Behavior
These large goats are diurnal. Their diet shifts seasonally. The markhor's mating season takes place in the winter.Females usually give birth to one or two kids, rarely three.They live in flocks that normally consists of 9 animals, as males are largely solitary. Females take care of their young until the kids are able to eat solid food and become more independant.

Threats 
Like many other herbivorous ungulates, markhors have a number of predators, including snow leopards, lynxes, brown bears, wolves and golden eagles, though humans are their main predators.

Markhors are a near-threatened species because they are hunted illegally for its meat and impressive horns. Their decline in population is also due to loss of their natural habitats.

Sources

1. http://a-z-animals.com/animals/markhor/
2. http://www.dkfindout.com/uk/animals-and-nature/cattle/markhor/
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markhor
4. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/161848180330914871/

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