Gaur (Indian Bison)
Scientific Name: Bos gaurus
Physical Features: Gaurs are massive animals, with males weighing up to 1,500 kg and standing about 2.2 meters tall at the shoulder. They have dark brown or black coats, with males being darker than females. Both sexes have large, curving horns that can reach 80 cm in length. They also have a distinctive hump on their shoulders.
Habitat: Gaurs inhabit evergreen and deciduous forests, as well as grasslands, throughout India, particularly in the Western Ghats, central India, and northeastern forests.
Behavior: Gaurs are social animals that live in herds, usually consisting of females and their offspring, while males tend to be solitary or form bachelor groups. They are primarily grazers, feeding on grasses, but also consume leaves, fruits, and bark. Gaurs are known for their alertness and strength, which deters many predators, although tigers are known to prey on them.
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Unique Traits: Gaurs are the largest wild cattle species in the world, and their size, strength, and formidable horns make them a challenging target even for large predators.
Communication: Gaurs communicate through vocalizations like grunts and snorts and use scent marking to establish territory. They also display body language, such as lowering their heads and pawing the ground, to warn off rivals or potential threats.
Breeding and Reproduction: Breeding usually occurs during the monsoon season, and females give birth to a single calf after a gestation period of about nine months. The calf remains with the mother for up to a year before becoming independent.
Ecological Importance: Gaurs play a vital role in their ecosystem by maintaining the balance between forests and grasslands. Their grazing helps shape plant communities, and they are an important prey species for tigers.