Goral (Himalayan goat) is an animal that in appearance resembles a chamois, moreover, it differs from it by an elongated and dense body, strong legs, a thick neck, more shaggy hair and the shape of horns. The short head tapering towards the muzzle is decorated with small and weak black horns 10-12 cm long. In the section they are rounded, slightly curved back and evenly and close to one another, slightly diverging from above and do not form a hook sharply bent back at the end, like at the same chamois. The ears are pointed, narrow, reaching half the head, white inside. The tail of the goral far exceeds the total length of the ear, while the chamois have approximately the same length.
Coarse, long, mud-yellowish-gray, slightly curly winter fur. At the same time, it is darker closer to the muzzle. A black and brown strip stretches along the upper side of the tail and ridge. Throat is yellowish white. The hair on the neck forms a small standing mane. The front legs are black-brown in front, the rest is light rust yellow. In the upper part, the hind legs are the color of the body; rusty yellow, bright underneath. There is no white, well-defined spot behind. The length of the ears of young goats is interesting - they are much longer than the horns. The body length is about 120 cm at a height of 75 cm. Females have 4 nipples. Young individuals from adults differ in a faded color. Periodically there are specimens of a completely white color.
Spread
The Himalayan goat (goral) got its name at the place of its distribution - the Himalayas. It is also found on dry open mountain slopes or rocky forest areas in eastern Tibet, in addition, in the mountainous regions of Upper Burma and Pakistan, in Nepal and China, in Bhutan and India.
Lifestyle
Himalayan goat is well adapted for life in the rocks. He cleverly and quickly climbs very steep slopes, and also jumps from great heights. Even being seriously wounded, he often eludes his hunter. Moreover, out of the blue, he is completely helpless - jumps up and practically does not move forward, becoming in such conditions easy prey. Deep snow is also very dangerous for him.
Mostly the gorals are kept in small herds. They feed early in the morning, where they graze until 10 in the morning. Then they go to the rocks, where they are laid for chewing “chewing gum” and resting on the eaves and platforms of sheer inaccessible slopes. A wonderful outlook opens from here, there are escape routes in case of danger, and the breeze blows all the time, which drives away the vulture abundantly available in the East. Gorals so often visit places of rest that they find themselves heavily trodden, as well as strewn with heaps of litter. In the evening, animals go out to pasture a second time and feed until dark. Only in the early spring, the gorlov, who were emaciated during the winter, graze around the clock with small interruptions. Where animals live, trails trample, as they prefer to wander along certain paths.
The Himalayan goat, whose name, as we already understood, was goral, has a well-developed hearing and sense of smell. Moreover, his vision is much weaker. The animal’s voice resembles a peculiar chirping: “check-check …”.
In winter, the gorals stick to the slopes without snow, at this time feeding on shoots of shrubs and deciduous trees, lichens and tree mosses. In early spring, they often have to be content with even poorer feed - last year's sedge - they find it by blowing. Then they go to the warm slopes, on which the grass begins to turn green earlier, and they feed intensively with it. At the end of summer, acorns, as well as the fruits of other plants, consume large quantities of acorns.
Breeding
Animals rush in October. In Goril, cubs are born in June, but sometimes the goats appear earlier, and even at the end of summer. The mother usually has 1-2 babies, sometimes 3. The female chooses an inaccessible, secluded place for childbirth, in caves and crevices, under canopies of large stones.
The wolf is considered the most dangerous enemy of the gorals, which cuts them in huge numbers. The Himalayan goat is also subject to attack by a lynx, and young individuals periodically become prey of large feathered predators and charzas.
Economic importance
The Himalayan goat is widespread in such narrow limits, occupies so hard-to-reach spots and is so few that it does not have serious commercial value. It is obtained only by chance from an ambush, from the approach along the trails, as well as with dogs chasing the beast.
