Common name : Nilgiri ibex
Scientific name : Nilgiritragus hylocrius
Family : Bovidae
Native to : Southern and Western parts of India
Interesting fact : Males develop a light grey area on their backs and are thus called ‘saddlebacks’.
Conservation status : Endangered
They have grey-brown fur with light, pale underbellies and curved horns. Mature males are larger than females, and have a darker colour. Adult weigh 80-100 kg, stand about 100 cm tall at the shoulder. They do not have a specific breeding season, and have a gestation of 179 days after which a single offspring is born.
