# Bukharan Markhor (*capra falconeri heptneri*) The Bukharan Markhor is a fascinating wild goat known for its impressive twisted horns and beautiful fur. These animals are great climbers, often seen navigating steep mountain slopes with ease! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Mountainous regions of Central Asia, particularly in Afghanistan and Tajikistan. - **Also known as:** Twisted Horn Goat ![Bukharan Markhor](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Capra_falconeri_hepteneri.jpg&width=800) Photo: The original uploader was Geographer at English Wikipedia ., CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Capra_falconeri_hepteneri.jpg) ## Appearance The Bukharan Markhor has magnificent, spiraling, corkscrew horns, especially long on males. Its coat color ranges from reddish-brown to light grey, with males sporting a distinctive shaggy white mane and beard. Females have smaller horns and a plainer appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Bovidae - **Genus:** Capra ## Interesting facts - A male markhor's shaggy beard can be almost as long as its head! - Markhor means 'snake-eater' in Persian, likely due to their coiling horns. - Their spectacular spiraling horns can twist up to 720 degrees! - These agile goats can leap several meters across deep mountain ravines! ## Special abilities - **Mountain Master:** Bukharan Markhor can navigate treacherous, steep cliffs with incredible balance because of their specially adapted hooves, helping them escape predators. - **Horn Defense:** Bukharan Markhor has powerful, twisted horns that help them defend against predators and establish dominance during mating season. - **Camouflage Coat:** Bukharan Markhor has a coat that changes color seasonally to blend into rocky mountain environments, helping them hide. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 132-186 cm - **Weight:** 32-110 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-13 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-2 - **Gestation:** 135-170 days ## Diet & Feeding Bukharan Markhor munch on various mountain plants like grasses, leaves, and twigs! - **Primary Foods:** grasses, leaves, shoots, twigs, herbs, shrubs - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Snow Leopard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/snow-leopard) (*Panthera uncia*) — Snow leopards are primary predators of markhor adults and young. - **Eaten by:** Grey Wolf (*Canis lupus*) — Grey wolves also prey on markhor, especially on habitat fringes. - **Eats:** Himalayan Pencil Cedar (*Juniperus semiglobosa*) — Markhor browse on leaves and shoots of high-altitude juniper species. - **Eats:** Flexed Milkvetch (*Astragalus flexus*) — These mountain goats graze on various herbs like local Astragalus species. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bukharan Markhor? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Bukharan Markhor? 132-186 cm ### How much does Bukharan Markhor weigh? 32-110 kg ### How long does Bukharan Markhor live? 10-13 years ### How fast can Bukharan Markhor move? 40 km/h ### What does Bukharan Markhor eat? Bukharan Markhor munch on various mountain plants like grasses, leaves, and twigs! ### Where is Bukharan Markhor usually found? Mountainous regions of Central Asia, particularly in Afghanistan and Tajikistan. ### How does Bukharan Markhor hunt? Grazing ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Bukharan Markhor: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bukharan-markhor)