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Saiga Antelope
Key Facts
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Common Name
Saiga/mongolian Saiga, Saiga, Saiga Antelope; Saïga(Fr); Antílope Saiga (Sp)
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Scientific Name
Saiga tatarica
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Location
South-Eastern Europe and Central Asia
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Status
Critically Endangered (IUCN A2acd)
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Population
Estimated 4000 - 6500 individuals
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Shoulder height
Upto 60 - 80 cm
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Weight
Upto 30 - 50 kg for males and 21 - 40 kg for females
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Fur/Coat
Sparse and cinnamon coloured during the summers that turns very thick and white during the winters
Saiga antelope is a priority species. WWF treats priority species as one of the most ecologically, economically and/or culturally important species on our planet. And so we are working to ensure such species can live and thrive in their natural habitats.
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Physical description
The Saiga is the only species in its genus. Its most remarkable feature is its large humped nose that hangs over its mouth. The nose is flexible and inflatable that helps it to breathe clean air during dusty summers and warm air during cold winters.Its coat is sparse and cinnamon coloured during the summers that turns to a very thick and white during the winters.
Saiga antelope has long, thin legs but it is very similar in size to sheep.
Size
Weight: 30 - 50 kg for males and 21 - 40 kg for females
Shoulder height: 60 - 80 cm, males are usually taller than females.
Length: 108 - 150 cm
Habitat
Biogeographic realmPalearctic
Range States
Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russian Federation, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
Geographic Location
South-eastern Europe and Central Asia
Ecological Region
Temperate grasslands, savannas and shrublands; Montane grasslands and shrublands; Deserts and xeric shrublands
Food chain
Saiga antelope is a herbivore animal and it feeds on:
- grasses
- steppe lichens
- plants containing salt
- herbs and shrubs
- Wolf
- Fox
- Stray dogs (for newborn)
- Humans
Interesting facts
- A small group of Saiga (30 - 40) is called a herd but during migration there can be tens of thousands of Saiga antelope, this large group is called a Stream
- During migration Saiga cover between 80 and 120 Km in a day
- Over 90% of males can die in the rutting season due to exhaustion
- Saiga are not very good in their hearing ability but their sight is very good able to see danger upto a kilometer away
- Saiga can run upto 80 kph
- The gestation period is 140 - 150 days
- The litter size is 1 in the first birth given by a female, later 2 is normal
Threats
Main threats to Saiga antelope come from humans and human activity. These include:- Uncontrolled and illegal hunting for horns and meat
- Selective hunting of males for their horns (used in Chinese traditional medicine) has resulted in catastrophic drop in birth rate due to heavy skewing of sex ratio
- Loss of natural habitat to agricultural use
- Competition with other species for grazing grounds