Saiga: animal characteristics, habitat, and photos

The saiga is a member of the antelope family. Today, this species is considered endangered, protected, and listed in the Red Book. In the 17th century, saigas were considered the most numerous species in Eurasia, inhabiting most of the Earth's surface.

General characteristics of saigas

Saigas are wild mammals belonging to the even-toed ungulate family. They prefer live in the Russian steppesThe first mention of these animals dates back to ancient times. It is believed that the ancestors of wild antelopes were saber-toothed tigers and mammoths, both of which are now extinct. At that time, they inhabited all of Eurasia, including Alaska. But while these ancient ancestors of wild antelopes died out, the saigas themselves managed to adapt and survive.

Species characteristics

The saiga is not a very large animal, which has the following distinctive features:

1. The body length of a wild antelope ranges from 1 to 1.4 mm.
2. The height of the saiga animal with the withers is approximately 0.6–0.8 mm.
3. Saigas have a specific nose - a proboscis.
4. The animal's coloring is muted, typically reddish or light gray. Incidentally, the saiga's fur color varies depending on the season.
5. The body weight of these wild antelopes ranges from approximately 20 to 40 kilograms. However, individuals weighing over 60 kilograms are very rare.
6. Another distinctive feature is the hoofprint. This print is heart-shaped, with a forked end. It's somewhat similar to the hoofprint of a domestic sheep.
7. It's rare to hear a wild antelope cry. But if the situation is urgent, they begin to bleat in a distinctive way.
8. The saiga moves calmly and evenly, with its head down. But as soon as danger appears, it begins to flee, picking up speed. This can sometimes reach speeds of up to 70 km/h. It can run at this speed for no more than 12 kilometers, as it also jumps upward while running.

Males and females of this animal differ significantly. First of all, it's their horns. In males, they begin to grow immediately after birth. At six months, they have a darkish color, and by the time they reach a year, they already lighten. The structure of these horns is transparent, somewhat reminiscent of wax. The horns of adult males are curved and often reach 40 centimeters. Unfortunately, the price of such horns on the black market is so high that this has led to a large number of hunters who mercilessly destroy this beautiful and amazing animal.

Habitat

It is known that wild antelopes once inhabited almost all of Eurasia, but then, after the Ice Age, their numbers greatly decreased and saigas began to occupy only the steppe zones.

But where does the saiga live today? This steppe antelope prefers open spaces, where the ground is usually flat, hard, rocky, or clayey. They try to choose areas without even the smallest tree lines, trying to protect themselves from enemies and attacks in every possible way.

Currently The saiga has chosen the following countries for itself, whose territories are ideal for their habitation:

1. Russia.
2. Kazakhstan.
3. Turkmenistan.
4. Mongolia.
5. Uzbekistan.

Kalmykia is considered the ideal habitat for the saiga in Russia. The wild antelope feeds on various grasses and, consequently, cereals in flat, dry terrain. It only needs water in the summer. However, this animal is very shy, so it tries to stay as far away from human settlements as possible.

The lifestyle of saigas

Wild antelopes prefer to live in herdsA single herd can contain between 10 and 50 animals. However, herds of 100 or more animals are sometimes encountered. These animals are constantly migrating. In winter, they tend to migrate to deserts, where there is usually little snow, and in summer, they return to the steppe.

The saiga is a very hardy animal that can adapt to a wide range of climatic conditions. It can tolerate not only extreme heat but also cold, and can feed on sparse vegetation. to be without water for a long time.

For many antelope, migrating from one place to another ends in death. Leaders typically strive to cover enormous distances in a day, and the weakest individuals, unable to endure the effort, drop dead.

When winter arrives, the saiga antelopes begin their rutting season. Fights between the leaders occur constantly, resulting not only in serious injuries but often in death.

The lifespan of males and females of this wild animal varies. It is known that the lifespan of males is 3-4 years, and for females, this age can reach up to nine years. This is probably why wild antelopes reproduce so quickly. Females begin to participate in the rut as soon as they are seven months old. Therefore, they give birth to their first offspring at the age of one year. Males do not reach sexual maturity until they are two years and five months old.

Females usually give birth in May, after leaving the main herd and seeking out the most remote areas of the steppe, where no hunter has ever set foot. They give birth right on the ground. If this is the first time a saiga mother gives birth, she will have only one baby. Later, she will have two, and sometimes even three.

During their first few days, saiga cubs are completely helpless, simply lying on the ground. But even as they grow older, the cubs don't cause any trouble for their mother; they the most docile offspring in the wildA week after birth, the saiga can already follow its mother, and after two weeks it can move with the herd. However, it will only be a month before it can begin grazing on its own.

Enemies of saigas

Wild antelopes prefer to be diurnal, making them especially vulnerable at night. The saiga's main enemy is the steppe wolf, which is considered not only strong but also highly intelligent. The saiga can only escape it by fleeing. Wolves exert natural selection within the saiga herd, eliminating those that move slowly. Sometimes they can destroy a quarter of the herd.

Stray dogs, foxes, and jackals also pose a threat to saigas. These predators are most often found in saiga calves. Newborn saiga calves can also be at risk from ferrets, foxes, and eagles.

But saigas are especially terrified of poachers. By the early 20th century, they had been decimated to the point where they were practically impossible to find in many places where they once inhabited. That's why Lenin had to issue a decree banning the killing of the antelope. But in the 1950s, saiga hunting was permitted again. It wasn't until the 1970s that saigas were remembered again and hunting was banned. But by that time, only a few saigas remained in the world. 35 thousand individuals, and they were mostly females.

Currently, all necessary work is underway to restore this antelope species. Nature reserves and protected areas for saigas are being established. For example, the Rostovsky Nature Reserve, located on the famous Lake Manych-Gudilo, is well-known. The Wildlife Fund has taken the protection and management of these wild animals, whose numbers have significantly declined. Saigas are now listed in the Red Book, where you can see photos of saigas. To increase the wild antelope's numbers, various grants are being awarded to help protect and preserve this amazing animal.