Gaur 🦬

Gaur is the largest representative of extant bovine, some male gaurs can reach the height of 5-7ft at the shoulder with an average weight of 900kg! Bothe makes and females have curved horns which can reach a height of 45 inches. The global population was estimated at a maximum of 21,000 mature individuals in 2016, with the majority of those existing in India. It is the largest species among the wild cattle and the Bovidae.

 Gaur is a strong and massively built bovine with a high convex ridge on the forehead between the horns, which protrudes anteriorly, causing a deep hollow in the profile of the upper part of the head. There is a prominent ridge on the back. The ears are very large. In the old bulls, the hair becomes very thin on the back. The adult male is dark brown, approaching black in very old individuals. The upper part of the head, from above the eyes to the nape of the neck, is ashy grey, or occasionally dirty white. The gaur does not have a distinct dewlap on the throat and chest. Both sexes have horns, which grow from the sides of the head, curving upwards.

 Gaur are largely confined to evergreen forests or semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests, but also occur in deciduous forest areas at the periphery of their range. Due to its immense size the gaur has few natural predators. The exceptions are tigers, crocodiles and humans. It’s difficult to take down a fully grown gaur hence predators go for either sick animals or young calves. Herds of Gaur are led by an old adult, while adult males are solitary. They come into contact with females during the breeding season when unattached males wander widely in search of receptive mates. Size is the factor that determines who becomes dominant.