Global Guardian Project V4 India | Page 14

MAMMAL

BLACKBUCK

The blackbuck , also known as the Indian antelope , is an antelope found in India . It stands up to 29 to 33 inches , and weighs between 44 – 126 pounds . Typically , only males have the ringed horns on top of their heads , though females may develop horns as well . The blackbuck is a diurnal antelope ( active mainly during the day ). As herbivores , blackbucks eat plants and like to graze on low grasses . The blackbuck lives in grassy plains and slightly forested areas and is found mainly in India . Formerly widespread , only small , scattered herds roam today , largely confined to protected areas .

THREATS :

During the 1900 ’ s , blackbuck numbers declined sharply due to excessive hunting , poaching , deforestation , habitat degradation and habitat loss .

WHY DO THEY MATTER :

Like all animals , the blackbuck is important . Species and ecosystems are interdependent and require each other not only to thrive and survive . The decline in blackbuck population points to the degradation of their environment and shrinking in size of lands for them to graze .
13