Wildlifeof Nepal
Himalayan Goral
Wild Cattle & Serow
Photo: Nicolás Tamargo · CC0
Naemorhedus goral
Basic stats
Diet
Leaves and softer plant parts, mainly grasses
Habitat
Mountain slopes, most commonly 900–2,750m
Range
Himalayas from northern Pakistan through Nepal and Bhutan to southern Tibet and north-east India
Size
Length 95–130cm; horns up to 18cm
Weight
35–42kg
The Himalayan goral has a grey or grey-brown coat with tan legs, lighter patches on the throat and a single dark stripe down the spine. Both sexes carry backward-curving horns up to 18cm long. It measures 95 to 130cm and weighs 35 to 42kg. Gorals are told from the closely related serows chiefly by lacking preorbital glands below the eyes (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is crepuscular and rests on a rock ledge during the day. It often forms small groups of four to twelve, while older males pair off or live alone. Group home ranges are typically about 40 hectares, and males hold marked territories of 22 to 25 hectares in the mating season. Its predators include the Himalayan wolf. Its range includes Nepal. Nationally Near Threatened (Nepal National Red List 2011).
Quick answers
- What does the Himalayan Goral eat?
- Leaves and softer plant parts, mainly grasses
- What habitat does the Himalayan Goral live in?
- Mountain slopes, most commonly 900–2,750m
- Where is the Himalayan Goral found?
- Himalayas from northern Pakistan through Nepal and Bhutan to southern Tibet and north-east India
- How big is the Himalayan Goral?
- Length 95–130cm; horns up to 18cm
- How much does the Himalayan Goral weigh?
- 35–42kg