#intothewildwithrufus
At last… we managed to capture this lovely blackbuck on our cameras today, in a longgg time. 😊
The blackbuck is an antelope that’s native to the Indian subcontinent, known for its world-class speed.
They are known for their extreme sexual dimorphism. On first sight, when we happen to see a male and a female blackbuck separately, it is highly possible for us to assume that they are entirely different species.
As they mature, the male blackbuck develops a striking two-tone coat - dark brown to jet-black on their backs and sides, contrasting sharply with a bright white underbelly and white eye rings. They also grow impressive, spiraling “corkscrew” horns that can reach up to 70 cms long.
The females, on the other hand, are a light fawn or yellowish-tan colour, helping them blend into dry grassland environments. They are also typically hornless.
The blackbuck is the fastest land animal in India and ranks among the fastest in the world. When threatened, they can reach sprint speeds of up to 80 km/hr!
Their running style is also highly distinctive. Before breaking into a full sprint, a startled herd will engage in “pronking” - leaping high into the air with all four feet off the ground simultaneously. This behaviour is thought to signal to predators that the animal is incredibly fit and not worth chasing.
Moreover, the blackbuck is deeply embedded in Indian history and mythology as well.
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