Amur Goral - description, habitat, lifestyle

Goral is meant as a medium-sized animal, which in its external characteristics is somewhat similar to an ordinary domesticated goat. Only sizes, habits and some other features differ. If we consider the represented individual in a generalized way, it resembles a goat crossed with an antelope. Distinctive characteristics are horns and tail. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, we will study the most important aspects in turn.

Description

1. Gorals are not too different from domesticated goats. The body is stretched to a length of 100 cm. The weight category ranges from 35 to 40 kg. The individuals of this breed group have fluffy and coarse fur, it is elongated, and becomes rare in summer. By color Gorals can be whitish, brown-red and grayish.
2. A distinctive feature can be considered thick and massive limbs, which are covered with elongated hair, like the rest of the body.Eyes for dimensional features not too large, directed in different directions. The ears are stretched to a length of 13 cm.
3. The horns are in an arc format, they are pigmented with a dark brown or black tone. At the top they taper, becoming like a cone. The hooves are small, allow deftly to move over rocks and other unstable surfaces. Animals feel all the bulges with their hooves, therefore they are well controlled with limbs and almost never fall.
4. As for distribution, these individuals like mountain rocky terrain. They are found in China, Russia, Korea and Burma. Previously, most of the population was dispersed near Khabarovsk and Primorsky Krai. Today there are very few gorals.

Lifestyle

1. There are many varieties of these individuals, but their lifestyle is almost identical. Often, animals gather in packs of 10-12 individuals. Some prefer to live in couples and families, others prefer to live in proud solitude. Males are prone to nomadism, always in search of food and territory.
2. Gorals do not like the sun, they hide in the shadows.They are active at twilight hours or early in the morning. If the day is overcast, the animals go to look for food and crawl out of the shelter. When the sun is outside, the individuals are very passive. After choosing the right place, the goral does not move, lies and slumbers.
3. Many people claimed that they literally ran into members of the family because they merged with the environment. Animals by nature love to travel. They are constantly moving, can not be in the same area for too long. Each season begins with a new home.
4. In the summer, most of the population is dispersed throughout the numerous green lawns located in the upper zone. When the cold approaches, individuals descend. Some show unprecedented climbing abilities, climbing the highest cliffs. This is especially true when you need to run away from enemies and hide.
5. Older animals prefer to congregate in groups with a similar age group. They keep apart, not confusing with young representatives. Animals of female sex live near offspring.Males are more likely to leave to be alone. Over the course of the life cycle, gorals may change their preferences several times. That they live settled, then wander every year.
6. Unfortunately, the individuals in question cannot defend with their teeth. In addition, these animals are not too long horns, so that they can fully defend themselves. During the attack, such individuals loudly hiss at their opponent. But such actions do not help them. When possible, Gorals are simply carried away by jumping into the rocks.
7. Presented animals also cannot run away from their pursuer for a long time. Individuals have not very long legs and a rather heavy body. But such physiological features do not prevent them from jumping in lengths of up to 3 m. It is noteworthy that gorals are especially vulnerable in the snow. Therefore, animals try to avoid places with loose snow, the depth of which exceeds 30 cm.
8. When compared with other similar relatives, these individuals practically show no aggression. If animals are in a group, they will always warn each other with a hiss, in case of danger. When searching for food, if the male finds food, he will always call his relatives to share the meal.
9. In the wild, it is often possible to observe that one group of such individuals often intersects with another. It is noteworthy that the animals are completely loyal to each other and in no way show aggression. The exception may be only the marriage period. At this time, the males arrange battles among themselves. The winner gets the female.

Nutrition

1. As for the daily diet, the individuals in question can truly be happy with the abundance of plant food only in the warm season. In such a period, Gorals eat everything that comes their way. They love to chew the leaves of shrubs, flowers of plants, herbs and various fruits. Animals eat everything they reach.
2. As for the cold season, at this time the diet of such animals becomes poor. But even so, individuals do not starve. They can easily eat thin sprigs of shrubs and trees. Also in the diet includes young shoots. Only such food can please animals in the cold period.

Gorals are quite interesting representatives of wildlife in the wildlife.They live well in harsh climatic conditions. However, they do not like to eat needles. They can enjoy this food, then when there is no other way out. Otherwise, they can eat mushrooms and lichens. Otherwise, the habitat of animals is good because there is enough food in any season.

Video: Amur Goral (Naemorhedus caudatus)