The four-horned antelope, Tetracerus quadricornis, also called the chousingha, is a small bovid native to central, South and Western India, with a smaller population in Nepal. The sole member of the genus Tetracerus, it was first described in 1816 by the French zoologist Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville, and three regional subspecies are recognised. It has a yellowish-tan, sometimes reddish coat, stands nearly 55 to 64 centimetres at the shoulder and weighs about 17 to 22 kilograms. Its four horns are unique among antelopes: a longer pair between the ears and a shorter pair in front. It was once common throughout deciduous forests, and it is presently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, threatened by the loss of its natural habitat.
Facts
Classification
Population Trend System (Realm) ThreatsAgriculture and Aquaculture 1 Living or Extinct Conservation Status Activity Pattern Comparison
CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
Bovidae, Taxa Source Four-horned antelope (Wikipedia)
In Biome
Source Four-horned antelope (Wikipedia)
Source Four-horned antelope (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Four-horned antelope (Wikipedia)Lead, living or extinctQuote, Lead, living or extinct
The four-horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis), also called chousingha, is a small bovid antelope native to central, South and Western India, along with a smaller population in Nepal.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Four-horned antelope (Wikipedia)Lead, living or extinctQuote, Lead, living or extinct
The four-horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis), also called chousingha, is a small bovid antelope native to central, South and Western India, along with a smaller population in Nepal.
Sources
1. Four-horned antelope (Wikipedia)
Lead
It is presently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Lead, living or extinct
The four-horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis), also called chousingha, is a small bovid antelope native to central, South and Western India, along with a smaller population in Nepal.
Lead, diet
This elusive antelope feeds on grasses, herbs, shrubs, foliage, flowers and fruits.
Lead, activity pattern
The four-horned antelope is diurnal (active mainly during the day) and typically solitary by nature, though some antelope may form loose groups of three to five animals, usually one or more adults, possibly accompanied by calves.
Distribution and habitat
The four-horned antelope was once common throughout deciduous forests in India, but the population has declined over time.
Threats and conservation
The four-horned antelope is protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972; the population in Nepal is listed in CITES Appendix III.
Lead, threats
The four-horned antelope is threatened by the loss of its natural habitat due to agricultural expansion.
Lead, system
Once more common throughout deciduous forests in India, the four-horned antelope now occurs in disjunct, fragmented populations, with genetic "bottlenecking" (e.g. inbreeding) becoming a potential threat to the stability of future populations that do not intermingle during mating seasons.
Child Taxon Of: Bovidae, Taxonomy and phylogeny
The four-horned antelope is the sole member of the genus Tetracerus, and is placed under the family Bovidae.
View the Source2. AnAge (Human Ageing Genomic Resources): AnAge entry for Tetracerus quadricornis
AnAge (Human Ageing Genomic Resources)Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traitsQuote, Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits
Maximum longevity 17.4 years (captivity)
Artiodactyla (Wikipedia)
In Group: Even-Toed Ungulates (Artiodactyla), Inner systematicsQuote, In Group: Even-Toed Ungulates (Artiodactyla), Inner systematics
The bovids (Bovidae) are the most species-rich family.
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