14/08/2026
Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra)
The animal in the photo is a Blackbuck (Indian antelope), specifically a young or subadult male.
Spiral Horns: Long, ringed horns with distinct corkscrew-like twists (characteristic of males).
Coat Color: Light brown/tan coat with white underparts, a white chin patch, and white eye rings. As male blackbucks mature, their upper coat typically darkens to a deep brown or black.
Slender Build: Long, thin legs adapted for high-speed running across open grasslands.
Quick Facts
Native Habitat: Grasslands and open plains of the Indian subcontinent (India, Nepal, and historically Pakistan).
Speed: One of the fastest land animals in the world, capable of sustaining speeds around 80 km/h (50 mph) to evade predators like cheetahs (historically) and wolves.
Significance: It is the state animal of Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab in India and holds significant cultural and religious importance in Hinduism.