Behavioural biology and ecology of Blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra) : A Review

Abstract

Blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra) belongs to the Bovidae family and subfamily Antilopinae and is distributed in India, Pakistan, Nepal and United Arab Emirates. It can live in wide variety of habitats, including grassland, bush land, scrubland and dry thorn habitats. Sexual dimorphism is very clear. Males have blackish or dark brown coat colours, while females have a yellowish coat colour. Males have a shorter lifespan as compared to females. Generally, blackbuck forage in the daytime but sometimes also forage at night and their foraging activity patterns are influenced by environmental factors and seasonal variations. They use to prefer wide variety of food materials, like leaves, grasses, cereals, vegetables, shrubs and varieties of crops. During the breeding season, males become territorial. Herd size is also affected by the seasons and environmental factors. Exotic species invasion, habitat loss, anthropogenic activity, overgrazing and agricultural expansion, urbanization and industrialization all reduce suitable habitat for blackbuck survival. Illegal hunting, poaching, habitat loss, road killing and lack of genetic variation are also responsible for the dramatic decline in the population of blackbuck. Study of genetic variation, captive breeding and the establishment of a blackbuck rescue centre might be helpful for enhancing the population and survival of blackbucks.