Name:

Gaur

Scientific name:

Bos gaurus

State:

Vulnerable

Scientific classification:

Animal Kingdom

Edge: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Artiodactyla

Family: Bovidae

Gender: Bos

Species: B. gaurus

General information:

The gaur is a large bovine from South and Southeast Asia, found in greatest numbers in India. It is the largest of all wild animals, even larger than the American bison and the water buffalo. The tamed gaur is called gayal. It is an imposing and fearsome presence throughout its range, with only the tiger as its natural predator. And even then, the gaur can beat the tiger in a large part of its encounters. Although it is known to be relatively shy in areas with little human invasion, the gaur can be quite aggressive and hostile in areas where the presence of humans is abundant. When alarmed or provoked, a charging guard can cause great damage and harm. It has been known to go to the fields to graze alongside domesticated cattle and sometimes even kill them during fights. Bulls can also charge unprovoked, especially during the summer when heat and parasites make them more irritable than usual.

Physical description:

The male has a robust and muscular body with a distinctive dorsal ridge on his shoulders. Females are considerably smaller, with less developed dorsal ridges. Males are around 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet 2.5 inches at the shoulder and can weigh between 2,200 and 3,300 pounds. Females are about 7.9 inches shorter and can weigh from 1,540 to 2,200 pounds. Size varies among the various subspecies of gaur, with the Malay variety being the smallest and the Southeast Asian gaur the largest. It has a short dark brown coat with white or tan lower legs. Its tail is shorter than that of domesticated cattle and its horns are flattened from front to back.

Diet:

Gaurs are herbivores and mainly eat grass and leaves, but they have also been known to eat other plants.

Habitat:

Gaurs live in small herds of up to 40 animals and are more or less diurnal in nature. They are found in wooded hills and green areas, and have ranges of approximately 30 square meters. miles. The gaur is found in Bangladesh, China, Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, India, Peninsular Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Reproduction:

Gaurs can breed at any time during the course of a year, but reproduction peaks between December and June. Gestation lasts about 275 days, with 1, or rarely, 2 calves per birth. The young reach sexual maturity in their second or third year.