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Goral Facts

Goral Facts
Goral is a type of wild goat that looks like a stocky antelope. There are four species of goral that can be found in India, Nepal and China. Goral inhabits steep and dry rocky hills and coniferous forests on the elevation of up to 8.000 feet. Chinese gorals can be even found on the altitude of 13.500 feet. Gorals are threatened by habitat destruction and recreational hunt. Also, different parts of goral's body are often used in traditional Asian medicine. Because of these factors, gorals are listed as vulnerable animals (they may become endangered in the near future).
Interesting Goral Facts:
Goral can reach 20 to 31 inches of height at the shoulder, 31 to 51 inches of length and 49 to 93 pounds of weight. Males are larger than females.
Goral is covered with grayish brown or grey coat. Patches of white hair can be seen on a throat and chests. Dark line stretches along the spine. Woolly undercoat is especially thick during the winter to preserve body heat and ensure survival in the cold environment.
Goral has stocky body and broad hooves which are adapted for climbing and jumping on the rough mountain terrains.
Gorals have curved horns that can reach length of 9 inches in males and 7.5 inches in females. Horns are mainly used for the fights during the mating season. They can pierce skin and inflict seriously injuries.
Goral is diurnal creature (active during the day). It spends night on the hard to reach cliffs or under the sheltered ledges.
Goral is herbivore (plant-eater). Its diet consists of leaves, shrubs, lichens and grass.
Goral's stomach is divided in four chambers. It regurgitates and chews food several times before it becomes ready for intestinal digestion.
Main predators of gorals are wolves, leopards, dholes, lynx and jackals.
In the case of danger, gorals produce hissing sound to alarm nearby gorals. They are able to skip 8 feet tall obstacles. Gorals use that skill to escape from predators.
Gorals sometimes pretend to be dead by lying motionless on the ground. Since their fur blends with the colors of the environment, predators cannot detect them easily.
Gorals are either solitary or they live in family groups, composed of female and her offspring.
Gorals are territorial animals. Males occupy territory of 40 hectares which they fiercely defend against intruders.
Mating season takes place from late autumn to early winter. Males release waxy substance from the glands on their feet to attract females during the mating season.
Pregnancy in females lasts 6 months and ends with one baby (kid). Baby is able to stand on its feet and walk one hour after birth. Young goral can follow its mother on the rough and steep terrain 24 hours after birth.
Gorals can survive up to 15 years in the wild.


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