Wildlifeof Nepal
Himalayan Tahr
Wild Cattle & Serow
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Hemitragus jemlahicus
Basic stats
Diet
Mostly natural grasses (up to 75%) and woody plants
Habitat
Steep mountain slopes at 2,500–5,000m
Range
Southern Tibet, northern India, western Bhutan and Nepal
Size
Horns up to 46cm
Weight
Males about 73kg; females about 36kg
The Himalayan tahr is a large, even-toed hoofed mammal with a small head, small pointed ears and large eyes. It has a thick reddish wool coat with a dense undercoat, which thins and lightens at the end of winter. Males average about 73kg and females about 36kg. The horns curve backwards, which helps prevent injury when males headbutt in the mating season (Wikipedia, general species account).
In the Himalayas it is found mainly on slopes from 2,500 to 5,000m. It eats a wide range of plants, with as much as 75% of the diet being natural grasses and more woody plants than herbs. Young can stand soon after birth. Snow leopards prey on it. Reproductive males lose much of their fat reserves in the mating season. Nationally Near Threatened (Nepal National Red List 2011).
Quick answers
- What does the Himalayan Tahr eat?
- Mostly natural grasses (up to 75%) and woody plants
- What habitat does the Himalayan Tahr live in?
- Steep mountain slopes at 2,500–5,000m
- Where is the Himalayan Tahr found?
- Southern Tibet, northern India, western Bhutan and Nepal
- How big is the Himalayan Tahr?
- Horns up to 46cm
- How much does the Himalayan Tahr weigh?
- Males about 73kg; females about 36kg