Chowsingha

About this species

Size

Shoulder height 55–64cm

Weight

About 17–22kg

Diet

Grasses, herbs, shrubs, foliage, flowers and fruit; Grewia hirsuta often eaten

Habitat

Deciduous forest

Range

Central, South and Western India, with a smaller population in Nepal

Litter size

1–2 calves

Gestation

About 8 months

The four-horned antelope, or chousingha, is a small antelope with a slender build, thin legs, a short tail and a yellowish-tan, sometimes reddish or goldenrod coat. Its four horns are unique among antelopes: the longer pair, 8–12 cm, sits between the ears, and the shorter pair, usually 2–5 cm and sometimes a mere fur-covered stud, is on the forehead. It stands 55–64 cm at the shoulder and weighs about 17–22 kg. Horns emerge at 10 to 14 months (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is native to central, South and Western India, with a smaller population in Nepal. Once more common in India's deciduous forests, it now survives in disjunct, fragmented populations, and inbreeding is a potential threat. It is diurnal and typically solitary, sometimes in loose groups of three to five, and eats grasses, herbs, shrubs, foliage, flowers and fruit, often the shrub Grewia hirsuta. Gestation is about eight months, with one or two calves that stay with the mother for about a year. The Indian muntjac and hog deer can be confused with it (Wikipedia, general species account).

Description: Wildlife of India guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com); general species information paraphrased from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)