Blackbuck: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Hooves and Horns · day 4 of 7

Five facts

1. The blackbuck is a sprinter of the Indian plains, able to run at 80 km/h.
2. Males wear long, ringed horns twisted like corkscrews, 35 to 75 cm long, that spread apart in a V shape.
3. Calves are born light yellow. Young males darken bit by bit, mostly after their third year, until their backs are nearly black.
4. Strong males guard small patches of land that females visit to feed, marking them with scent from glands near their eyes and feet.
5. Safety in numbers: a big herd spots danger faster than a small one, even though each blackbuck in it keeps watch a little less.

The quiz

1. How fast can a blackbuck run?

• 10 km/h
• 25 km/h
• 200 km/h
• 80 km/h (correct)

It can reach a speed of 80 km/h.

2. What do a male blackbuck's horns look like?

• Flat and wide like hands
• Twisted like corkscrews (correct)
• Short and hidden in fur
• Branched like a deer's

Its long, ringed horns resemble corkscrews and form a V.

3. What colour is a newborn blackbuck?

• Light yellow (correct)
• Jet black
• Grey with spots
• Bright white

Newborns are light yellow; males turn black gradually as they grow.

4. How do males mark the patches they guard?

• By scratching trees
• By piling up stones
• With scent from glands (correct)
• With loud songs at night

They mark territories with scent from glands near the eyes and between the toes.

5. What is one advantage of a large blackbuck herd?

• It needs less water
• It spots danger faster (correct)
• It never has to travel
• It can hide in trees

Large herds detect danger faster than small ones.

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