goral

The goral is a critter that looks like a cross between a goat and an antelope. There are 4 known species that can be found in China, India, and Nepal. They prefer sparsely vegetated , rocky, dry, steep mountains with an abundance of cliffs. The various species are listed as Near Threatened to Vulnerable by the IUCN. This is due to hunting, trapping, habitat destruction, extermination for traditional medicine, and general human interference.

First the Stats… Scientific name: Naemorhedus Weight: Up to 88 lbs. Length: Up to 51 inches Height: Up to 31 inches Lifespan: Up to 17 years

Now on to the Facts! 1.) Gorals are social critters that dwell in herds of up to 12 individuals.

2.) Herds typically consist of females, kids, and younger males. Older males are usually solitary; only coming together to breed.

3.) They are predominantly diurnal (active during the day). However, they have also been seen later in the evening ( nocturnal ) and on overcast days, they tend to be cathemeral (active both day and night).

4.) The goral will usually try to avoid traversing in snow deeper than 14 inches as this makes traveling challenging for them as well as making it easier for predators to pick them off.

5.) When faced with a predator , they will stomp their feet and make a wheezing alarm call.

But wait, there’s more on the goral! 6.) A group of gorals is called a drove, flock, herd, tribe, trip, or trippe.

7.) Gorals graze on grasses, nuts, fruits, woody material, leaves, and twigs. This makes them herbivores (eat plant matter).

Did you know…? Gorals can leap up to 8 feet, horizontally, in order to avoid predation !

8.) Females undergo up to a 230 day gestation (pregnancy) that yields up to 3 kids, but typically 1 – 2 is the average.

9.) Lynx , snow leopards , tigers , wolves , dholes , and jackals all prey on gorals.

10.) Both males and females have horns that curve backwards. The male’s horns are longer (up to 9 inches), where the female’s get only 7.5 inches.

But wait, there’s still more on the goral! 11.) Being ruminants, these creatures have a 4 chambered stomach. Like cows . They will also chew their cud. This means they will regurgitate their meal so they can chew it further. This aids indigestion of the sometimes tough to eat food.

12.) To avoid sight hunters, a goral will sometimes lie motionless in the grass; almost playing dead.

13.) Males tend to be territorial and defend an area of approximately .15 of a square mile.

Now a Short Goral Video!

Be sure to share & comment below! Also, check out the Critter Science YouTube channel . Videos added frequently!

Want to suggest a critter for me to write about? Let me know here .

Learn more about all kinds of cool critters, right here ! toolTips('.classtoolTips12','

This is sometimes referred to as metaturnality. When an organism\'s pattern of activity is dispersed throughout regular intervals during the day and night, (which is typically when food is obtained by them), the activity of that organism can be called cathemeral. The animal\'s activity is spread out throughout a 24 hour period.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips14','

Gestation is the process of carrying or being carried in the womb between conception and birth. In other words, pregnancy.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips16','

Predation is the ecological process by which an animal (or an organism) kills and feeds on another. The animal that kills to feed is called a predator. The 1 that is killed to be eaten is called prey.

Some examples or predators are: raptors , wolves , snakes , cats , and sharks .'); toolTips('.classtoolTips16','

Predation is the ecological process by which an animal (or an organism) kills and feeds on another. The animal that kills to feed is called a predator. The 1 that is killed to be eaten is called prey.

Some examples or predators are: raptors , wolves , snakes , cats , and sharks .'); toolTips('.classtoolTips18','

Organisms that are nocturnal are active at night. Animals that fit into this category are typically prey animals that rely on the cover of darkness as a defense. Granted, there are no shortage of predators at night. Some organisms adopt a nocturnal lifestyle due to climate issues. Many desert dwelling animals are nocturnal as it is simply cooler outside at night. Aardvarks , badgers , bandicoots , and aye-ayes are just some examples of nocturnal creatures.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips24','

Animals that eat mostly or exclusively grass, shrubs, seeds, and nuts are called herbivores. This category can also be broken down into subgroups too.

Critters that fall into this category are: cows , elk , buffalo , sheep , goats , and many rodents , to name a few.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips24','

Animals that eat mostly or exclusively grass, shrubs, seeds, and nuts are called herbivores. This category can also be broken down into subgroups too.

Critters that fall into this category are: cows , elk , buffalo , sheep , goats , and many rodents , to name a few.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips31','

An animal that falls into this category is active during the day. Animals that fit this description typically use sight for hunting prey. Others, like turtles , are active during the day as they need the sun\'s rays to aid in the production of vitamin D, which is needed to help process calcium and prevent metabolic bone disease. Hummingbirds rely on the sun as most of the nectar they gather comes from flowers that are open during the day. Cows , dogs , elephants , butterflies , and squirrels , for example, are diurnal.');

goral

The Sociable Goral