Saiga tatarica
Range
They are found on the steppes of Central Asia (northwestern Mongolia).Habitat
They live on the open, dry steppes (a type of semi desert grassland).Body Traits
They are light brown in summer and lighter in winter with a small mane. They have a large, strange-shaped nose that hangs down over their mouth. It is believed that this helps in winter to warm the frigid air they breathe in before it reaches their lungs and in summer to filter out the dust they breathe in during migrations. Males have ringed, pointed horns.Habits
They travel around in large groups, migrating north in summer and back south in winter. They can run up to 80mph when escaping predators.Diet
They eat grass and shrubs.Predators
They are killed by wolves and humans.Reproduction
Males compete for groups of up to 30 females every fall during the “rut.” The fights they have often can leave one male dead and since none of the males eat during the rut many others die. As many as 9 out of 10 males can die during the fall rut. Females are pregnant for 4.5 months (gestation) and have 2 young.Lifespan and/or Conservation Status
They can live up to 10 years in the wild. They are listed as endangered.
Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Subphylum: Vertebrata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Bovidae
- Subfamily: Antilopinae
- Genus: Saiga
- Species: Saiga tatarica