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The Nilgiri tahr is a sturdy, stocky ungulate endemic to the Nilgiri Hills and the Western Ghats of southern India, and the state animal of Tamil Nadu. Adapted to steep, rocky terrain, it moves with remarkable agility across sheer cliff faces. Critically endangered with a population of fewer than 3,000, it is protected almost entirely within Eravikulam National Park.
Average Length
1.5 m
Average Weight
100 kg
Lifespan
9 years
Top Speed
40 km/h
WildAtlas insight
Low elusiveness
This species is generally easier to observe in the wild, based on its typical traits and behavior.
Why this grade?
These are some of the biological and behavioral factors, among others, that WildAtlas considers when deriving this species level grade.
- Animal group
- Mammal
- Diet
- Herbivore
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Social behavior
- Herd
This proprietary WildAtlas grade describes the animal in general and stays the same across parks. It is separate from park level insights, which depend on local conditions and data.
Quick Facts
Nilgiri tahr is endemic to the Western Ghats and found nowhere else in the world.
Eravikulam National Park in Kerala holds the world's largest population of this species.
Older males develop a silver saddle patch on their backs, earning them the name 'saddleback'.
The species was named after the Nilgiri Hills where it was first scientifically described.
Habitat & Range
Habitats
Regions
Behavior & Reproduction
Activity Pattern
Diurnal
Social Structure
Herd
Gestation Period
6 months
Litter Size
1
Predators
Leopards, Dholes, Tigers
Found in Parks
Where should you look for nilgiri tahr? Explore each park's biome, habitat, and local conditions. Population, density, and sighting trends will shape future park specific insights.
