Bharal (redirected from bharals)

Bharal 

(Pseudois nayaur), an even-toed ungulate of the family Cavicornia, with features resembling those of goats and sheep. Height at the shoulder, up to 90 cm; body length, up to 140 cm; weight, up to 73 kg. The males have curving horns that spread outward and measure up to 80 cm in length; the horns of the females are small. The animals are predominantly brown with a bluish tint; the underparts and legs are partially white. Bharals are found at elevations of 3,500–5,000 m in Central Asia (China, Mongolia, Nepal, and Kashmir). They prefer steep, mountainous cliffs. The animals live in flocks of 10–50 head; the mature males live separately from the females. Bharals feed on grasses. Mating occurs in September, and the young are born in the spring. Bharals cannot be crossbred with domestic sheep. They are hunted for their meat and skin.