Blackbucks in defending mood
The Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), a graceful and slender antelope is found in the open forest and semi-desert plains throughout in India. Their heavily uneven, corkscrew-shaped, 18” (approx) horns and beautiful white ringed eyes acknowledged their beauty. Only adult males have the horns. The upper part of the adult males is dark brown while the under part is white.
Usually, this antelope is quite in nature. They are found in herds containing 50 to 100 individuals. They graze during the day, even in hot season. Particularly, they are very active in the morning and evening. Sometimes, they take rest under the trees in hot weather.
The combative behavior is expressed through ‘Head Up’, ‘Chasing at gallop’, ‘Head Down’, ‘Vegetation Thrashing’ and finally ‘Fight’.
The fight of the Blackbucks can be of three different types:
1. Fights between Sub-adult and /or female Black-buck
2. Fights between the non-territorial males
3. Territorial fights between two adult Blackbucks
Here, two male Blackbucks are in territorial fight which is widely related to their survival instinct. This fight leads to the capturing of territories for mating, and reproduction also.
To end with, knowing of the Scientific Classification of Blackbuck is important.
These are:
General Name: Blackbuck
Binomial name: Antilope cervicapra
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Subfamily: Antilopinae
Genus: Antilope
Species: A. cervicapra
Partha Sarkar, India, Kolkata
