Markhor

The Markhor (Capra falconeri) is a goat-antelope found in sparse woodland in the Western Himalayas.

Markhor stand 140 to 180 centimetres at the shoulder and weigh from 40 to 100 kilograms. Females are tan in colour with a white underbelly and a pattern of black and white on the legs. Males are a lighter tan with the same white underbelly and pattern on the legs, they also have black faces and a large amount of long shaggy white fur on their neck and chest. Both sexes have corkscrew horns, in females these reach about 25 centimetres but the male's horns grow to a very impressive 160 centimetres

Markhor are found in sparse woodland areas at altitudes of 500 to 3500 metres where they eat grass, leaves, and whatever vegative matter they can find, they often stand on their hind legs to reach the top leaves of trees. Markhor are crepuscular, active in the early morning and late afternoon. Females gather in herds of up to nine individuals and males are solitary.

During mating season, males fight each other for the attention of females. These fights involve lunging until the two males' horns are locked together, and then twisting and pushing until one male falls. Markhor sound much like domestic goat.