Chousingha
The four-horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis ), or chousingha, is a small antelope found in India and Nepal. Its four horns distinguish it from most other bovids, which have two horns (with a few exceptions, such as the Jacob sheep). The sole member of the genus Tetracerus, the species was first described by French zoologist Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville in 1816. Three subspecies are recognised. The four-horned antelope stands nearly 55–64 centimetres (22–25 in) at the shoulder and weighs nearly 17–22 kilograms (37–49 lb). Slender with thin legs and a short tail, the four-horned antelope has a yellowish brown to reddish coat. One pair of horns is located between the ears, and the other on the forehead. The posterior horns are always longer than the anterior horns, which might be mere fur-covered studs. While the posterior horns measure 8–12 centimetres (3.1–4.7 in), the anterior ones are 2–5 centimetres (0.79–1.97 in) long.
The four-horned antelope is diurnal (active mainly during the day). Though solitary by nature, four-horned antelopes may form loose groups of three to five –with one or more adults, sometimes accompanied by juveniles. This elusive antelope feeds on grasses, herbs, shrubs, foliage, flowers and fruits. It needs to drink water frequently; as such it stays in places near water sources. The breeding behaviour of the four-horned antelope has not been well studied. The age at which they reach sexual maturity and the season when mating occurs have not been understood well. Gestation lasts about eight months, following which one or two calves are born. They are kept concealed for the first few weeks of their birth. The young remain with the mother for about a year.
Four-horned antelopes tend to inhabit areas with significant grass cover or heavy undergrowth, and avoid human settlements. Earlier common throughout deciduous forests in India, the antelope now occurs in widely disjunct, small populations. Most of the populations are in India, and lower numbers can be found in adjoining Nepal. The four-horned antelope is threatened by the loss of its natural habitat due to agricultural expansion. Moreover, the unusual four-horned skull and the horns have been a popular target for trophy hunters. The four-horned antelope is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).
The Four-horned antelope is one of the smallest Asian bovids. These antelopes have four horns, which distinguish them from most other bovids, which have two horns. Only males in this species grow horns. One pair of horns is located between the ears, and the other on the forehead. Four-horned antelopes have a slender body with thin legs and a short tail. Their coat is yellowish brown to reddish in color. The underparts and the insides of the legs are white. Facial features include black markings on the muzzle and behind the ears. A black stripe marks the outer surface of each leg.
Four-horned antelopes are found in India and Nepal. In India, they range from the foothills of the Himalayas in the north to the Deccan Plateau in the south. These antelopes inhabit areas with significant cover from grasses or heavy undergrowth, and close to water bodies. They try to stay away from human-inhabited areas. Four-horned antelopes mostly occur in open, dry, deciduous forests in hilly terrain.
Four-horned antelopes are active mainly during the day. They are solitary by nature but may form loose groups of 3 to 5 animals. These groups consist of one or more adults, sometimes accompanied by juveniles. Males and females interact only in the mating season. These antelope are shy and elusive. When alarmed, they stand motionless and may nervously leap away from the danger or even sprint. To escape predators they often hide in tall grasses. Four-horned antelopes don't usually use alarm calls to alert others because they try to avoid the attention of predators. However, in extreme cases, these calls may be used to warn predators that they have been identified. Adults mark vegetation in their territories with a secretion of preorbital glands and maintain multiple latrine sites. These animals also communicate with the help of submissive display which consists of shrinking the body, lowering the head and pulling the ears back.
Four-horned antelopes are herbivorous animals. They feed on grasses, herbs, shrubs, foliage, flowers, fruits and need to drink water frequently.
Little is known about the mating system in Four-horned antelopes. The breeding occurs during the rainy season, from July to September. Females give birth to one or two calves after the gestation period that lasts around 8 months. Calves are born fully developed and weigh 0.7 to 1.1 kg (1.5 to 2.4 lb). They are kept concealed for the first few weeks of birth and remain with their mothers for about a year.
Four-horned antelopes are threatened by the loss of their natural habitat due to agricultural expansion. Moreover, the unusual four-horned skull of these antelope and the horns have been a popular target for trophy hunters.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of Four-horned antelopes is above 10,000 individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are decreasing.
