Markhor

Question 1

What is the conservation status of the markhor?

Answer 1

Endangered.

Question 2

How many mature markhors remain?

Answer 2

2,500

Question 3

Over the last two generations, how much has the markhor population declined?

Answer 3

20%

Question 4

What is the national animal of Pakistan?

Answer 4

The markhor.

Question 5

What is the most significant piece of folklore about the markhor?

Answer 5

People of the middle east believe it has the ability to kill and eat snakes. Local people believe that if you retrieve the foam that comes from their mouth while chewing cud, it will cure snakebites.

Question 6

What does markhor mean in Persian?

Answer 6

Snake killer.

Question 7

How tall are markhors at the shoulder?

Answer 7

Up to four feet.

Question 8

How long can a markhor get?

Answer 8

Up to six feet.

Question 9

How much do markhors weigh?

Answer 9

Up to 250 pounds.

Question 10

True or false? The markhor’s coat grows longer in winter.

Answer 10

True.

Question 11

What is sexual dimorphism?

Answer 11

When there is a visible difference between males and females.

Question 12

What are the main differences between male and female markhors?

Answer 12

Males have a mane, curling horns, and longer hair. They are also larger.

Question 13

how long do the horns of a male markhor get?

Answer 13

Up to five feet.

Question 14

True or false? Markhors are less smelly than domestic goats.

Answer 14

False.

Question 15

what is the range and habitat of the markhor?

Answer 15

Montane scrub forests in the middle east.

Question 16

When are markhors active?

Answer 16

They are diurnal or crepuscular.

Question 17

How does the diet of the markhor shift when winter comes?

Answer 17

In spring and summer they graze. In winter they browse.

Question 18

What season is the breeding season for markhors?

Answer 18

Winter.

Question 19

How is the winner determined in a markhor fight?

Answer 19

The first animal to lose its balance is the loser.

Question 20

What is the gestation period of the markhor?

Answer 20

5 months.

Question 21

How many kids does the markhor have?

Answer 21

One or two.

Question 22

What do flocks of markhors consist of?

Answer 22

Mostly females and their young.

Question 23

True or false? The male markhor is generally solitary.

Answer 23

True.

Question 24

How many subspecies of markhor are there?

Answer 24

Five.

Question 25

What kind of markhor is found at the Stone Zoo?

Answer 25

Bukharan markhor.

Question 26

What was Charles Darwin’s theory as to how modern domestic goats came to be?

Answer 26

Wild goats were crossbred with markhors.

Question 27

True or false? The markhor is the undisputed largest wild goat.

Answer 27

False. It is taller than the Siberian ibex, but not as long or heavy.

Question 28

Why are markhor considered challenging to hunt?

Answer 28

They live high in the mountains on treacherous terrain.

Question 29

What markhors are legal to shoot via extremely expensive hunting licenses?

Answer 29

Old ones that can no longer breed.

Question 30

What recent event is theorized to have escalated markhor hunting?

Answer 30

The War in Afghanistan.

Question 31

What is the main threat to the markhor?

Answer 31

Hunting for pelts and traditional medicine.

Question 32

What is the musical Afghan puppet show that stars a markhor pupet?

Answer 32

Buz-baz.

Question 33

What is the highest a markhor can be found?

Answer 33

11,000 feet.

Question 34

What do markhors eat?

Answer 34

Grass, leaves, and vegetation.

Question 35

what are some predators of the markhor?

Answer 35

Snow leopard, lynx, and wolves.

Question 36

How many years does it take markhors to become mature?

Answer 36

Around 2.

Question 37

What does a markhor sound like?

Answer 37

A domestic goat.