Saiga animal. Saiga lifestyle and habitat

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The saiga is an ungulate animal that is a member of the antelope subfamily. This is the only species of antelope that lives in Europe. The female of this animal is called saiga, and the male is called saiga or margach. Initially, the population of the species was numerous; today these amazing animals are on the verge of extinction.

Origin of the species and description

Photo: Saiga

Saigas are chordate mammals. The animals are representatives of the artiodactyl order, the bovid family, and are classified into the genus and species Saiga.

The saiga is a very ancient animal. It is reliably known that during the Pleistocene period they lived throughout the entire territory of modern Eurasia from the British Isles on the western side to Alaska on the eastern side. After the global glaciation, the territory of their residence was preserved only in the European steppes. Some zoologists claim that these representatives of bovids grazed with mammoths. Since those times, the animals have not changed at all; they have retained their original appearance.

Video: Saiga

In Russian, this name appeared from Turkic speech. It appeared in international speech thanks to the scientific works of the Austrian explorer and scientist Sigismund von Herberstein. In his writings, he described the lifestyle and characteristics of this animal. The very first mention of an animal called “saiga” was recorded in his scientific work “Notes on Muscovy,” which the researcher wrote in 1549.

When forming his explanatory dictionary, Dahl indicated that a female individual would be correctly called saiga, and a male individual would be called a saiga.

Appearance and features

Photo: Saiga animal

The saiga is a small antelope. The body length of an adult is 115 – 140 centimeters. The height of the animal at the withers is 65-80 centimeters. The body weight of one adult animal is 22-40 kilograms. All saigas have a short tail, the length of which does not exceed 13-15 centimeters. These animals have pronounced sexual dimorphism.

Males significantly exceed females in weight and size. The head of male individuals is decorated with horns that grow up to thirty centimeters in length. They are directed vertically upward and have a convoluted shape. The horns are almost transparent or yellowish in color, and are streaked with transverse ring-shaped ridges.

Animals have an elongated body shape and not very long, slender limbs.

The animals' fur is sandy in color with a reddish or brown tint. The abdominal area is lighter, almost white. In winter, the animal's fur darkens and acquires a coffee, dark brown color. During the cold season, the fur of saigas not only changes color, but also becomes much thicker, which makes it easy to withstand strong winds and persistent frosts. Molting occurs twice a year - in spring and autumn.

The animal stands out among other antelope species due to its unique nose structure. Outwardly, it resembles a shortened trunk.

The nose of animals is long and very mobile. This structure of the nose allows it to perform a number of important and necessary functions. It serves to warm the air in the cold season and will trap dust and the smallest contaminants in the summer. In addition, this nose structure allows males to make low sounds to attract females during the mating season, as well as to demonstrate strength to rivals. The animal has short and wide ears, and expressive, dark eyes located far apart from each other.

Sex differences

The appearance of males and females is different. The most noticeable advantage of the male is his horns; they begin to appear almost from birth. Initially, a calf's horns have a translucent pale brown color, but the older the individual, the larger and stronger the horns become and acquire a lighter shade.

In shape they resemble a children's pyramid assembled from rings. Two horns on the head resemble a lyre, and their size in an adult male reaches 30 cm. Females do not have horns.

Unfortunately, the horns that nature gave animals for defense could not protect them from human stupidity. On the black market they fetched a lot of money for beautiful saiga horns. Poachers mercilessly killed thousands of animals for profit, which almost led to the extinction of the population.

Where does the saiga live?

Photo: Saigas in Kazakhstan

These ungulates choose exclusively flat terrain with low vegetation as their habitat. Saigas live mainly in steppes or semi-deserts. They try to avoid ravines, hills, or dense forests.

In former times, saigas were very common throughout modern Eurasia. Today they are on the verge of extinction, and their habitat has been significantly reduced.

Geographical regions of animal habitat:

• Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation;
• Republic of Kalmykia;
• Altai;
• Kazakhstan;
• Uzbekistan;
• Kyrgyzstan;
• Mongolia;
• Turkmenistan.

Saigas prefer plains due to the fact that jumping is quite difficult for them. With the onset of winter and cold weather, they prefer to move to places with little snow, as high snowdrifts make it difficult to move. Saigas also try to avoid being on sand dunes, since in such an area it is also problematic for them to move, much less escape from being chased by predators. The animals stay close to the hills during the winter season, when snowstorms and strong winds occur.

These representatives of ungulates have developed a unique type of movement - ambling. In this way, they are able to reach quite high speeds - up to 70 km/h. Saigas can live both on plains and on hills. In Kazakhstan, animals live at an altitude of 150 to 650 meters above sea level. In Mongolia, their habitat is represented by pits near water bodies.

During the season of severe drought, when animals experience difficulties and find it difficult to find a source of food, they can enter agricultural land and eat corn, rye, and other crops growing in the fields. With the onset of winter, animals choose the area where it is easiest for them to find a source of food and try to stay close to water bodies.

Habitats

Saigas in ancient times occupied a fairly large territory from Alaska to Europe. Now the number of places where the saiga lives has noticeably decreased.

They live in herds in the semi-deserts and steppes of Russia and Kazakhstan, as well as in Mongolia. The number of heads in a herd can vary - from 50 to 1000.

In summer, saigas prefer flat terrain, and in winter they like to hide from blizzards in hilly areas.

What does the saiga eat?

Photo: Saiga Red Book

These animals belong to artiodactyls, therefore, they are herbivores. Zoologists say that saigas eat a very large number of types of vegetation, more than a hundred in total. The diet and list of plants that are included in the animal’s diet depend on the region where it lives, as well as the season.

For example, on the territory of Uzbekistan, the diet of the saiga includes about three dozen species of vegetation, on the territory of Kazakhstan about five dozen species. Regardless of the terrain in which animals live, the number of types of vegetation that are suitable as a source of food during one season does not exceed thirty.

What could be the saiga's food supply:

• cereals;
• twig;
• solyanka;
• forbs;
• ephemera;
• ephedra;
• wormwood;
• steppe lichens;
• bluegrass;
• mortuk;
• bonfire;
• quinoa;
• rhubarb;
• licorice;
• astragalus;
• tulip foliage, etc.

During periods of heavy snow storms and drifts, ungulates hide in bushes and remain there until the bad weather subsides. During this period, they often go hungry, or eat coarse, dry types of vegetation - reeds, shrubs, tamarix, and other species.

On the coast of the Volga River, the individuals living there feed mostly on wheat grass, camphorosis, twig grass and lichens. In winter, the basis of the diet is wormwood, lichens, and feather grass.

The animals are considered not picky about food and can feed on any type of vegetation that is common in their habitat. The need for water is experienced mainly in winter, when they eat mainly dry types of plants and shrubs. In the warm season, when juicy greens predominate in the diet, the body's need for liquid is replenished from the moisture it contains.

Nutrition

Mammals of this species are completely herbivorous. To maintain vitality, they need to eat from 3 to 6 kg of plant food per day. The diet of antelopes includes more than 80 plants and lichens, including species that are dangerous to other animals. Saigas eat cereals, wormwood, quinoa, licorice, wheatgrass, and solyanka. Preference is given to succulent tops, without eating the plants at the roots.

The drinking regime of saigas is very unusual. They do not come to water outside of dry periods. In winter they get water from precipitation, and in summer they eat moisture-rich tulips and irises. In especially dry times, antelopes can visit for agricultural crops: rye, corn, wheat and others.

Features of character and lifestyle

Photo: Saiga animal

Saigas are herd animals and are not found alone in nature. They gather in numerous herds, the head of which is a strong, experienced leader. The number of individuals in one such herd can range from one to five to six dozen individuals. It is common for herds to lead a nomadic lifestyle. They move across different regions in search of food or to escape bad weather. Most often they move to deserts with the onset of winter and cold weather, and return to the steppes with the first warm days.

With the onset of cold weather, the leaders of various groups of animals often engage in fights, which can often end in death. The nomadic lifestyle also affects population movements. The pace of movement and its range are set by a strong leader. Not all individuals of the herd can correspond to it. Therefore, many animals do not reach their destination, dying along the way.

Animals are highly adaptable to environmental conditions. They are able to survive in regions with little food and water and can survive in such conditions for quite a long time. During their movements, animals are able to move at high speeds, sometimes reaching up to 80 km/h. When danger approaches, the whole herd takes flight. Sick and weakened animals lag behind the herd and most often die from attacks by predators.

Animals are naturally excellent swimmers, thanks to which they are able to overcome small and medium-sized bodies of water without any problems. By nature, animals are endowed with excellent hearing, which allows them to distinguish extraneous, dangerous rustles at a distance of up to several kilometers. In addition to excellent hearing, animals have a keen sense of smell, which allows them to sense changing weather conditions, the approach of rain or snow.

The life expectancy of animals is quite low, and directly depends on gender. Males in natural conditions live no more than four to five years, the life expectancy of females reaches 10-11 years.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Very promising for livestock breeding. Poachers hunt saigas for meat, skins and horns, from which Chinese healers make medicine.

In ancient times, saigas roamed in large herds across the vast expanses of Europe and Asia. At the beginning of the 20th century they were almost completely exterminated. However, fortunately, the saigas were preserved. Now their thousand-strong herds roam the steppes of Kazakhstan and southern Russia, but in Mongolia they are still rare. The size of the animals is average - height up to 80 cm, body length - up to 120 cm. They live in steppes, deserts and semi-deserts. Fleet-footed, the speed of the saiga can reach 70 km per hour.

Social structure and reproduction

Photo: Saiga calf

By nature, saigas are polygamous animals. The mating season is seasonal and lasts from November to early January. This period depends on the region of residence. In Kazakhstan, the mating season lasts from March to April. The mating period of animals lasts from 10 to 25 days. Each sexually mature one forms a harem for himself, fighting off from five to ten females, who are protected by males from the encroachments of extraneous males.

The formed harem exists in a certain territory, with an area of ​​30-80 square meters. During this period, males become aggressive, often fighting for the right to enter into mating relations with one or another female. Such battles often end in severe injuries and death.

During sexual relations, males secrete a specific secretion from the infraorbital and abdominal skin glands. Mating most often occurs at night; during the daytime, males most often rest and gain strength. It is during this period that males eat little and lose strength and body weight. At this time, cases of saigas attacking people were recorded.

Females reach sexual maturity by the eighth month of life, males only after a year. Pregnancy lasts on average five months. Females who are about to give birth to cubs accumulate in one place, mainly on flat terrain with sparse, low vegetation. The body weight of a newborn cub is 3-3.5 kilograms.

During the first day, babies lie almost motionless. After the babies are born, the mother goes in search of food and water, but comes to check on her baby several times a day. Newborns grow and become stronger quite quickly, and already on the sixth or seventh day they are able to follow their mother.

Mating games

In late autumn, saigas begin their mating season. During the rut, males engage in merciless battles and win the right to create their own herd, which can include more than 20 females. In his harem, the male is the only one who can mate and produce offspring.

Males become sexually mature at the age of 1.5-2 years, females much earlier; they are ready to give birth starting from 7-8 months.

With the help of their nose - trunk, males produce a sound that attracts females. After fertilization, closer to spring, females leave the harem and form herds. They go to open areas, away from natural enemies, and prepare for the birth of their babies. Males also organize groups of “bachelors”.

Natural enemies of saigas

Photo: Saigas in the steppe

Like any representatives of ungulates, saigas often become prey for predators living in the regions where saigas are located.

Natural enemies of ungulates:

• jackals;
• wolves;
• foxes;
• stray dogs.

Often predators lie in wait for their prey when they gather in flocks to drink. Zoologists say that if attacked at the most unexpected moment, a pack of wolves can destroy up to a quarter of the ungulate herd. The greatest danger to the number of animals is posed by humans and their activities. Saiga antelopes were exterminated in large numbers by poachers who hunted for valuable fur, tasty and nutritious meat, and the horns of ungulates.

The horns of these animals are of great value and are widely used in the manufacture of alternative medicine in China. Powder is made from them, which is included in antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and body cleansing drugs. Chinese doctors also use this powder as a medicine for liver diseases, migraines, and gastrointestinal pathologies.

In the Chinese market, huge sums of money are paid for such horns; the demand for saiga horns is high at all times, so poachers seek to fill their pockets by killing these amazing animals.

Population and species status

Photo: Saigas in nature

Today, the animal is listed in the international, Russian Red Book with the status of a species on the verge of complete extinction. Researchers note a trend toward a sharp decline in the population of these animals at the end of the last century.

At that moment, alternative medicine began to actively develop in China and the market began to offer big money for the horns of the animal, from which healing powder was subsequently made. In addition, the skin of animals and their meat, which has excellent taste characteristics, were of great value. The number of poachers began to grow rapidly, and animals were mercilessly killed en masse.

At a time when the number of animals became alarmingly low, the authorities began to think about creating special national parks in which the number of these animals could be restored. However, the first such attempts were unsuccessful. Zoologists attribute this to the fact that optimal conditions for existence and reproduction were not created, and specialists did not previously develop programs for restoring the number of saigas.

Saiga in culture and literature

In Kalmykia there is an old belief about the White Elder. He personifies fertility and is considered the patron saint of animals, especially saigas. Since ancient times, hunters never shot animals if they were huddled together. It was believed that at this very time the White Old Man was milking them. Killing an animal at this sacred moment is a great sin, for which the angry Elder will certainly punish.

This belief formed the basis of the legend story “Baby Saiga” by the Kazakh writer Dina Oraz. The work tells the story of a poacher who, at the will of the White Old Man, became a baby saiga. The story is dedicated to the rangers and all the killed saigas.

The Russian writer Yuri Geiko is penned by the story “Saiga,” which tells about the illegal hunting of saigas, the tragic incident that occurred during it and its investigation.

The Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov in his novel “The Scaffold” very poignantly described the barbaric hunt for these steppe antelopes.

Saigas do not let people get close to them. The reason is that they were and, unfortunately, remain the target of poachers. But there are many people and even organizations that protect and protect animals from the threat of extinction. There is a Center for Wild Animals in Kalmykia. It, among other things, breeds saigas. Grown-up individuals are released into the wild. Some cosmetics companies transfer part of their earnings to the Russian branch of the World Wildlife Fund).

May 5th is International Saiga Day. He was received by representatives of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Russia at a seminar dedicated to the problems of these animals. The holiday was created to attract public attention to the protection and conservation of this unique species.