(Okapia johnstoni)

Okapi are related to giraffes. They are an endangered species whose primary population is in the dense tropical forests of the northeast Democratic Republic of the Congo in central Africa. They are primarily solitary, coming together only to mate.

Males have horn-like protrusions (ossicones), whereas females do not. Their average height is just under 5 feet (1.5 m), and they weigh between 440 and 770 pounds (200 to 350 kg).

(Hydopotes spp.)

Water deer are native to Korea and China but have been imported to Britain, where they’ve spread. Reports have also found small populations in France and Russia. While superficially similar to Moschids, genetic analyses have shown they are separate taxonomically from that genera. Males have long canines (up to 3 inches or 5.5 cm), whereas does have tiny (0.2 inches or 0.5 cm) ones.

Water deer stand 18 to 22 inches (42 to 65 cm) at the shoulder and weigh 20 to 31 pounds (9 to 14 kg).

(Alces alces)

Moose are the second-largest land mammal in North America and the largest, heaviest and tallest deer on Earth. In Eurasia, they are often called “elk.” They are found across much of Canada and Alaska, parts of the northern United States, and from Finland to Russia.

Moose inhabit the circumpolar boreal forests or temperate mixed boreal forests of the Northern Hemisphere, thriving in cool, temperate areas and subarctic climates. 

Moose stand from just under 5 feet to almost 7 feet (1.4 to 2.1 m) tall at the shoulder. Males weigh from 840 to over 1,500 pounds (381 to >680 kg), and females 440 to 1,090 pounds (200 to 490 kg). 

(Rangifer tarandus)

Caribou (or reindeer) have a circumpolar distribution from North America, Europe and Siberia. They are found in the Arctic, tundra, subarctic, boreal, and mountainous regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

They vary greatly in size and colour, with some species more migratory than others. These animals are unique from other deer in that most females normally grow antlers, albeit much smaller than their male counterparts.

Shoulder height is from 33 to 59 inches (88 to 150 cm), and cows are lighter than males, weighing from 180 to 260 pounds (80 to 120 kg). Bulls weigh from 350 to 400 pounds (160 to 180 kg).

(Odocoileus virginianus)

White-tailed deer are native to North, Central and South America, with the highest population in Texas. They are highly adaptive to forested, savannah, sagebrush and open prairie habitats.

They are a medium-sized deer, with larger animals residing in their northern range than in their southern range.

(Odocoileus hemionus)

Native to western North America, these medium-sized deer are adaptive to different habitats, from forest to montane to open prairie.

Mule deer can be easily confused with white-tailed deer, however, the black-tipped tail and large ears are distinguishing characteristics that tell mule deer apart from their white-tailed cousins.

(Blastocerus dichotomus)

Marsh deer is the largest deer species in South America. It is native and only found in central and eastern South America, from Brazil to Argentina.

Per their namesake, their primary habitat is marshlands and wetlands. Marsh deer stand at 3.3 to 4.2 feet (100 to 130 cm) tall, and weigh an average of  175 to 275 pounds (80 to 125 kg).

(Hippocamelus spp.)

Huemuls are South American deer, comprising of two species: the Taruca or Northern Huemul (Hippocamelus antisensus), and the Huemul or South Andean Deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus). Their primary home range is in the Andes, which stretches from central Peru to northern Argentina. They prefer rocky slopes, savannahs, and grasslands of high mountain glacial lakes. 

Medium-sized but heavy, huemels average 27 to 38 inches (69 to 90 cm) at the shoulder and weigh between 150 and <200 pounds (70 to 90 kg). Huemuls (southern) are typically larger than Tarucas.

(Mazama spp.)

Brocket deer comprise 21 species in the Mazama Genera. They are found in Central and South America, on the Yucatan Peninsula, and on the island of Trinidad. While all are predominantly forest-dwelling species, a few also utilize grasslands and mountain areas.

Brocket deer are small to medium-sized with stout bodies and large ears. They stand 14 to 30 inches (35 to 80 cm) at the shoulder and weigh anywhere between 18 to 105 pounds (8 to 48 kg).

(Ozotoceros bezoarticus)

Pampas deer live in the low-elevation grasslands in South America, primarily in Brazil. They are near-threatened, with populations threatened by habitat loss of native pampas grasslands and overhunting.

These deer are medium-sized, where they range from 24 to 28 inches (60 to 70 cm) as the average height at the shoulder (males being a little taller than females), and weigh between 50 to 75 pounds (23 to 34 kg).

(Pudella spp. & Pudu pudu)

Pudus are officially the world’s smallest deer. While chevrotains are smaller, they are not true deer, unlike pudus. Two species exist, the Northern and Southern Pudus. The Southern is larger than the Northern. A recently discovered third species is the Peruvian Yungas pudu, discovered as recently as 2024.

Pudus ranges in pockets from the Andes to southern Chile and southwest Argentina. They prefer the understory of temperate rainforests, where they have the best cover from predators. Pudus are 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder (32 to 44 cm) and weigh only up to 26 pound (12 kg).

(Muntiacus spp.)

Muntjacs are known as the barking deer or rib-faced deer, comprising of 11 species that are home in South and Southeast Asia. It is believed they are an ancient deer, first appearing 15 to 31 million years ago. Most species are listed as least concern, except for the Giant Muntjac (M. vuquangensis) which is listed as critically endangered.

Muntjacs are small deer, their weights and sizes varying by species. The Truong Son Muntjac (M. truongsonensis) is one of the smallest muntjacs, weighing only 33 pounds (15 kg). The largest, per its namesake, is the Giant Muntjac, weighing between 66 to 110 pounds (30 to 50 kg).

(Dama spp.)

Fallow deer are known by two species: Common Fallow Deer (D. dama) and Persian Fallow Deer (D. mesopotamica). Both species are native to Eurasia, native range extending from Italy to Iran. Early introductions placed deer further north and east, including some pockets in North and South Americas.

Persian fallow deer are only distinguished from Common fallow deer with antlers that are less palmated. Both species are similar in size and weight. Bucks are 33 to 37 inches (85 to 95 cm) tall at the shoulder, and weigh 130 to 220 pounds (60 to 100 kg). Does are 30 to 33 inches (75 to 85 cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh 66 to 110 pounds (30 to 50 kg). Fallow deer have quite the colour variation, from black to fawn-coloured to almost pure white. 

(Axis axis)

Chital deer are a medium-sized deer species native to the Indian subcontinent. Their habitat is fairly variable, thriving in forests as well as savannahs, as they are both grazers and browsers. 

Stags (or bucks) are larger and only bear antlers compared with does. Males reach up to 35 inches (90 cm) and females reach up to 28 inches (70 cm) at the shoulder. Males weigh between 150 to 200 pounds (70 to 90 kg), and females weigh 90 to 130 pounds (40 to 60 kg). 

(Axis porcinus)

These are small deer native to the Indian subcontinent. The common name comes from their running behaviour where they hold their heads low as they run through forest cover, similar to how hogs run.

Hog deer are stout- and long-bodied with short legs. Males stand 28 inches (70 cm) at the shoulder and weigh 110 pounds (50 kg). Females stand 24 inches (61 cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh 66 pounds (30 kg).

(Rucervus duvaucelii)

An Indian subcontinent deer, with populations fragmented in northern and central India and southwestern Nepal, its name is derived from the antlers having more than three tines compared with other Indian deer. Stags may have 10 to 14 tines, with some reported as having up to 20. 

Barasinghas are large deer, with males standing 44 to 46 inches (110 to 120 cm) at the shoulder and weighing 370 to 620 pounds (170 to 280 kg). Females, lighter in colour, weigh 287 to 320 pounds (130 to 145 kg). 

(Elaphurus davidianus)

Pere David’s deer were native to the subtropical river valleys of China, but were hunted to near-extinction. Thanks to captive breeding efforts in Britain by 11th Duke of Bedford Herbrand Russel, they were re-introducted back to their homeland in the 1980s. Sadly the IUCN (International Union of the Conservation of Nature) list them as Extinct in Nature. 

These animals are moderate to large in size, standing 47 inches (120 cm) tall at the shoulder, and weighing 300 to 440 pounds (135 to 200 kg). While they are grazers, they also frequent aquatic environments.

(Rusa alfredi)

This deer is small in size and an endangered species. It historically populated much if the Phillipine Islands, but due to overhunting and habitat loss, it has been reduced to only two islands: Panay and Negros. It was once found predominantly in rainforests and neighbouring grasslands, but due to its restricted range and sighting rarities, it’s difficult to know what its current preferred habitat is.

Adults range from 28 to 31 inches (70 to 80 cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh 88 to 132 pounds (40 to 60 kg). Males are larger than females and bear antlers. 

(Rusa timorensis)

Sambar deer are native to south China, southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. There are seven subspecies, each populating different parts of south and southeast Asia, including Taiwan, Borneo, and Sri Lanka. These animals inhabit tropical and subtropical forests and montane grasslands.

Sizes vary with subspecies and parts of the range, but overall these are large deer, with both stags and hinds standing at a height of 40 to 63 inches (102 to 160 cm) at the shoulder, and weighing between 220 to 770 pounds (100 to 350 kg). Some animals have been reported to weigh as much as 1,200 pounds (770 kg). Western subspecies are typically larger than eastern subspecies, and hinds are often smaller than stags.

(Rusa timorensis)

Javan rusa are large deer native to Indonesia. There are seven subspecies, most which are found on Java, Bali and Timor islands. Other ancient introductions were made on other islands, including Paupa New Guinea. These deer are rarely found in the open, preferring the protective cover of the tropical and sub-tropical forests and the cover of nightfall.

These deer are large in size, with males bigger than females. Average height at the shoulder is 56 to 73 inches (142 to 185 cm), and weight being 330 to 350 pounds (150 to 160 kg) for males, up to 163 pounds (74 kg). 

(Cervus canadensis)

Also called wapiti, elk are the second-largest deer species in the world and one of the largest terrestrial mammals endemic in North America as well as central and east Asia. There are currently 11 subspecies: six in North America, and five in Asia/East China. As grazers and browsers, elk frequent open forests, forest-edge habitats, montane areas, and open prairies.

Shoulder height ranges from 30 to 60 inches (75 to 150 cm). Weights vary from cows to bulls. Bull elk average between 390 to 1,100 pounds (180 to 500 kg), and cows range from 375 to 645 pounds (170 to 293 kg). Of the subspecies Roosevelt elk are the largest, and the smallest are the Tuli.

(Cervus elaphus)

Red Deer are endemic to Europe and parts of west and central Asia and northern Africa including the British Isles, Iran, and the Caucus mountains. Animals have also been introduced to parts of North and South Americas. They are adapted to a wide range of habitats, from forests to grasslands, mountains to lowlands.

Red deer range in size depending on location and their subspecies (of which there are 12). Corsican red deer are smallest in size, and the Caspian subspecies or those of the Carpathian Mountains are the largest and may rival elk in size. Shoulder heights range from 37 to 51 inches (95 to 130 cm), and weights from 350 to 530 pounds (160 to 240 kg). Stags are typically much larger than hinds.

(Cervus nippon)

Not to be confused with the Alaska’s Sitka Black-tailed Deer (Orocoileus hemionus sitkensis), a subspecies of Mule Deer, Sika deer are native to East Asia including Japan, the latter boasting the highest population of these cervids. There are 15 subspecies across its range.

Colour variations exist from mahogany to black with some white individuals. They are medium-sized deer, with shoulder height ranging from 20 to 45 inches (50 to 110 cm) and weights from 90 to 240 pounds (40 to 110 kg), and females from 70 to 110 pounds (30 to 50 kg). The Manchurian subspecies is the largest, while the Japanese subspecies are typically the smallest in size.

(Damaliscus lunatus)

Tsessebe or Topi comprises five subspecies in central and southern Africa: Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and South Africa. The shape of the horns is the most distinguishing factor between subspecies. They are among the fastest antelopes in Africa, running up to 90 km/h (56 mph).

Topis stand at 40 to 52 inches (100 to 130 cm) at the shoulder and weigh 165 to 352 lb (75 to 160 kg). Males are typically heavier and larger than females. 

(Damaliscus pygargus)

This antelope is found in South Africa, Lesotho and Namibia. It is a cousin to the Common Tsessebe. It is divided into two subspecies: the Blesbok (D. p. phillipsi), which lives in the Highveld area of South Africa, and the Bontebok (D. p. pygargus), which resides in the Fynbos and Renosterveld areas of the Western Cape province of South Africa.

They are classed as a vulnerable species, having been reduced to a wild population of less than 70 individuals in the 20th century. Thanks to conservation efforts and the relocation of some breeding individuals to Bontebok National Park (est. 1931), numbers have returned to around 3,000 animals. Sadly, they are extinct in their natural habitat.

This provincial animal of the Western Cape stands 31 to 40 inches (80 to 100 cm) tall at the shoulder, and weighs from 110 to 150 lb (50 to 68 kg).

(Alcelaphus buselaphus)

Also known as Kongoni or Kaama, this African antelope is the only member of the genus Alcelaphus. There are eight subspecies, all of which inhabit dry savannahs and wooded grasslands throughout parts of Africa. 

The hartebeest is a large antelope, standing 48 to 58 inches (120 to 145 cm) at the shoulder, and weighing  264 to 440 lb (120 to 200 kg). 

(Connochaetes gnou)

Also called the White-tailed Gnu, this African bovid was nearly completely exterminated in the 19th century due to its reputation as a “pest” and the value of its hides and meat. The species has been reintroduced from captive specimens on private land and in nature reserves throughout most of Lesotho, Eswatini, and South Africa. It has also been introduced outside its native range in Kenya and Namibia. 

These animals are 36 to 48 inches (90 to 120 cm) tall at the shoulder, and weigh 242 to 396 lb (110 to 180 kg). 

(Connochaetes taurinus)

This species is also known as the Common Wildebeest, White-bearded Gnu, or Brindled Gnu. It is known to have five subspecies in the southern and eastern parts of Africa. The colouration of each individual varies, from deep slate or bluish gray through light gray to brown gray. Dark vertical bands extend from the neck to the forequarters. Calves are born tawny-brown and don’t start shedding into adult colorations until they are 2 months old. 

Adults stand 46 to 58 inches (115 to 145 cm) tall at the shoulders and weigh 308 to 638 lb (140 to 290 kg).

(Antidorcas marsupialis)

Found in southern and southwestern Africa, this antelope species is the sole member of the genus Antidorcas, with three subspecies identified. This antelope is characterized by its white face and dark stripe running from its eye to its mouth. They are very fast animals, observed to run at 55 mph (88 km/h).

Springbok reach 28 to 34 inches (71 to 86 cm) at the shoulder and weigh between 60 and 93 lb (27 and 42 kg).

(Antilope cervicapra)

This medium-sized antelope is native to India and Nepal. It inhabits grassy plains and thinly forested areas. Its numbers have historically declined sharply due to overhunting, deforestation, and habitat degradation in the 20th century. Their numbers have somewhat rebounded since the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 (Schedule I) prohibited their hunting in India. They are considered locally extinct in Pakistan and Bangladesh, and small and scattered herds are largely confined to protected natural areas.

This antelope stands 24 to 33 inches (74 to 84 cm) tall at the shoulder and weighs 55 to 77 lb (25 to 35 kg).

(Dorcatragus megalotis)

Beiras are small antelopes that inhabit arid regions of the Horn of Africa. They prefer rocky hillsides in dry grassland interspersed with acacia scrub, with many sites on mesa-like terrain. They are considered vulnerable species, their main threats being overgrazing by goats, drought, and cutting acacia scrub for charcoal production. “Beira” is a Somali name for these animals.

The beira stand 19 to 24 inches (50 to 60 cm) tall and weigh 20 to 25 lb (9 to 11.5 kg). 

(Eudorcas albonotata)

Perhaps the most famous gazelle species, it is named after explorer Joseph Thomson and is sometimes called a “Tommie.”  It is recognized as the most common type of gazelle in East Africa. This small, fast antelope is said to reach top speeds of 50 to 55 mph (80 to 90 km/h). It is the fourth-fastest land mammal after the cheetah (its main predator), pronghorn, and springbok. 

These antelopes stand 24 to 28 inches (60 to 70 cm) at the shoulder and weigh 33 to 77 lb (15 to 35 kg). 

(Gazella gazella)

This endangered gazelle can be found in Israel, the West Bank in Palestine, the Golan Heights, and Turkey. There are approximately 6,000 left in the wild as of 2024, and is largely protected under Israeli law, with Israel being the last major sanctuary in the Levant. 

This true gazelle weighs 28 to 55 lb (13 to 25 kg). 

(Gazella spekei)

This endangered gazelle is the smallest of the gazelle species and is confined to the Horn of Africa. It inhabits stony brush, grassy steppes, and semi-deserts. Severe habitat fragmentation means it’s impossible to assess any natural migratory patterns, and it continues to pose a threat to current populations.

These little gazelles stand 19 to 24 inches (50 to 60 cm) at the shoulder and weigh 33 to 55 lb (15 to 25 kg).

(Litocranius walleri)

Also known as the Giraffe Gazelle, this long-necked, medium-sized antelope is found in parts of East Africa. Being the sole member of Litocranius, it is characterized by its long, slender neck and limbs. It was first described by the naturalist Victor Brooke in 1879. 

These long, slender antelopes stand 35 to 42 inches (80 to 105 cm) tall, and weigh between 62 and 115 lb (28 and 52 kg). 

(Madoqua kirkii)

This is a small antelope native to Eastern and Southern Africa. Dik-diks are the world’s smallest antelopes, with Kirk’s being the largest. They are named after their call, which they utter as a trumpet-like “zik-zik” to raise an alarm, harass predators or publicize the presence of a mated pair. Unlike most antelopes, dik-diks lie low in the cover of their savannah habitat to prevent detection. 

These little antelopes are no more than 14 to 18 inches (35 to 46 cm) tall, and weigh no more than 6 to 16 lb (2.7 to 7.2 kg).

(Nanger granti)

This gazelle is a rather large member of the antelope family, ranging from northern Tanzania to South Sudan and Ethiopia, and from the Kenyan coast to Lake Victoria. Its Swahili name is “swala granti” and was named after a 19th-century Scottish explorer, James Grant. They prefer short, grassy plans and can be found browsing in sparse arid scrublands. They avoid areas with tall grass because they cannot see predators.

This gazelle stands 30 to 37 inches (75 to 95 cm) at the shoulder, and weighs from 77 to 180 lb (35 to 80 kg).

(Ourebia ourebi)

This small antelope is found in eastern, southern, and western Africa, ranging from Nigeria and Senegal to Ethiopia, and south to Angola and the Eastern Cape (South Africa); its distribution is highly sporadic. Oribis are found in a variety of habitats, from savannahs and floodplains to tropical grasslands. There are eight subspecies attributed to this species.

Oribis stand 20 to 26 inches (50 to 67 cm) at the shoulder and weigh 26 to 49 lb (12 to 22 kg). 

(Procapra picticaudata)

Also known as the Tibetan Gazelle, this relatively small, graceful-looking antelope inhabits the Tibetan Plateau of China, specifically in the provinces of Gansu, Xinjiang, Tibet, Qinghai, and Sichuan, with tiny populations in the Ladakh and Sikkim regions of India. It prefers alpine meadows and high-elevation steppes, inhabiting terrain between 3,000 and 5,750 m (9,840 and 18,860 ft) in elevation. Unlike most antelopes, goas prefer small family groups of no more than 10 individuals, with many being solitary. Occasionally, they will gather in large groups.

Goas stand 21 to 26 inches (54 to 65 cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh 29 to 35 lb (13 to 16 kg).

(Raphicerus campestris)

This common small antelope of southern and eastern Africa, and is sometimes called the Steinbuck or Steinbok. They occur mainly in central and southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They prefer habitats ranging from semi-desert to open woodland and thickets, including open plains, stony savannah, and acacia-grassland mosaics. 

Steenbok resemble Oribi, standing 16 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm) tall at the shoulder, and weighing 15 to 35 lb (7 to 16 kg). 

(Saiga tatarica)

The Saiga, during antiquity (Pleistocene period) inhabited a vast area of the Eurasian steppe, from the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains to the northwest and Caucasus in the southwest to Mongolia in the northeast and Dzungaria in the southeast. Today, it is found only in Kalmykia and Astrakhan Oblast of Russia, as well as in the Ural Mountains, Ustyurt Plateau, and Betpak-Dala regions of Kazakhstan, and in western Mongolia. There are two subspecies: the Russian Saiga (S. t. tatarica) and the Mongolian Saiga (S. t. mongolica). 

The most prominent feature of this near-threatened antelope is the pair of closely-spaced, bloated nostrils pointed downward in a near-elephant-like “trunk” or proboscis. These animals stand 24 to 32 inches (61 to 81 cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh 57 to 152 lb (26 to 69 kg). 

(Bison bonasus)

Also called European Bison, European Buffalo, or Zubr, the Wisent is a native European species of bison, the heaviest land animal in Europe. They were hunted to extinction in the wild across Europe and Asia, and could only be brought back and reintroduced through captive breeding programs. Wisents are listed as near-threatened species and are found in pockets throughout Europe, from Russia to Britain, Sweden to Italy. 

These animals stand 66 to 83 inches (169 to 210 cm) tall and weigh 935 to 2,030 lb (424 to 920 kg). 

(Bos gaurus)

Also known as the Indian Bison, the guar is the largest living bovid, native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is listed as vulnerable, with an estimated population of 21,000 individuals recorded in 2016. It lives in a highly fragmented range, largely confined to evergreen or mixed evergreen forests, moist, deciduous forests that are of largely undisturbed tracts, hilly terrain and availability of water and grasses, bamboo, shrubs, and trees to consume. They prefer to live in herds, though males may be solitary in search of female-dominated herds.

Guar stand 56 to 87 inches (142 to 220 cm) at the shoulder and weigh from 970 to 2200 lb (440 to 1,000 kg) for adult females and 1300 to 3,300 lb (588 to 1,500 kg) for adult males. 

(Bos grunniens)

This long-haired cattle species is native to the Himalayan region, the Tibetan Plateau, Mongolia, and Siberia. It is descended from the wild yak. They are well adapted to high altitudes and low-quality forage, with a rumen larger than that of domesticated cattle. Yaks have been used for thousands of years for milk, fibre (wool), meat, and work (riding or pulling carts/plows). Today, they continue to be used for such purposes, and small numbers in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and parts of Europe are primarily raised for fibre and meat.

Yaks are heavily built animals with sturdy legs and extremely long, dense fur that hangs lower than their belly. They vary wildly in colouration, from white to black to rusty brown and cream patches. Both males and females are horned. They stand 41 to 54 inches (105 to 138 cm) tall at the withers and weigh from 500 to 1300 lb (225 to 590 kg). 

(Bos javanicus)

This critically endangered, beautiful wild bovine is found in Southeast Asia. There are four subspecies: the Javan, the Indochinese, the Bali, and the Bornean banteng. Bulls of Indochinese banteng are reddish-yellow with grey to black faces, while Javan banteng bulls are black. Females are often fawn to chestnut coloured. Bulls are more muscular and masculine, whereas cows are more feminine and slimmer, especially over the neck and shoulders. Banteng, being shy and elusive creatures, tend to prefer dense forest cover for shelter against predators but come out into open areas to graze at night.

Banteng cows average 4.6 ft (1.4 m) and bulls average 5.2 ft (1.6 m) at the shoulder. Cows weigh 1300 to 1480 lb (590 to 670 kg), and bulls weigh 1300 to 1800 lb (600 to 800 kg).

(Bos mutus)

Wild yaks are native to the Himalayas and are the ancestors of the domestic yak. They are heavily built and have a long, dense, woolly coat over the chest, flanks, and thighs for insulation against the cold. Most wild yaks are black to dark brown in colour. They prefer treeless uplands at elevations of 9800 to 18000 ft and alpine tundra rather than the barren steppe country. 

These vulnerable listed bovines stand about 63 to 81 inches (160 to 205 cm) tall and weigh 500 to 1300 lb (225 to 585 kg). 

(Bos taurus)

Domestic cattle are the most common species of large ruminant kept by humans as livestock for meat, milk, and sometimes draft work (as oxen). Originating in Europe, they are found all over the world in every continent except Antarctica. Often, there are two “types” that have been bred by humans: the very feminine-looking and thin “dairy” cattle (for milk), and the bulky, muscular-looking “beef” cattle. Taurus-type cattle range greatly in colour, from black to white to blonde to reddish-brown, with big patches or spotted or roan.

Taurus-type cattle range in shoulder height from 36 to over 72 inches (91 to 200 cm) tall, the former being true for miniature-type cattle. Weights range from 800 to 2500 lb (360 to 1130 kg),

(Bos indicus)

These cattle originate in South Asia and differ from taurine cattle in having a fatty hump, a large dewlap, and long, sometimes drooping, ears. They are well adapted for heat and high humidity, unlike their taurine cousins. Zebu are domesticated by humans for draft work, riding, dairy and beef. Like their taurine cousins, they come in a wide variety of colours and coat colourations. Weights are also similar to their taurine relatives. 

(Bos taurus sanga)

“Sanga cattle” is the collective name for indigenous cattle in some regions of Africa. They are domesticated animals kept by humans as livestock for meat, milk, draft power, and cultural significance among African peoples. They are usually easily identifiable by their large, long, upright horns. They come in a wide variety of colours and patterns, like their zebu and taurine relatives.

(Boselaphus tragocamelus)

The Nilgai (literally “blue cow” in Hindi) is the largest antelope in Asia and is found throughout the Indian subcontinent. It is the sole member of Boselaphus (and the Tribe Boselaphini), with a phylogenetic study indicating that Nilgai may be one of two species representing the most primitive of all living bovids. These antelope bovids prefer areas with short brush and scattered trees in scrub forests and grassy plains. Males are almost always blue to almost black in colour and horned, while females are tawny to almost orange and usually polled. 

Nilgai stand 39 to 59 inches (100 to 150 cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh 220 to 635 lb (100 to 288 kg). 

(Bubalus arnee)

This large, endangered bovine is native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is the ancestor of the domestic water buffalo. Wild water buffalo prefer wet grasslands, swamps, floodplains, and densely vegetated river valleys. Main threats to this species include hunting, habitat loss, interbreeding with feral/domestic water buffaloes, and diseases and parasites transmitted by domestic livestock.

These big wild bovids stand 59 to 75 inches (150 to 190 cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh 1300 to 2600 lb (600 to 1200 kg).

(Bubalus bubalis)

This buffalo (derived from the wild water buffalo) is kept by humans as draft animals for working rice fields, as well as for milk production. They are also commonly slaughtered for meat. It originates in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia and is also kept in Italy, the Balkans, Australia, the Americas, and parts of Africa. The water buffalo has been an important part of multiple cultures, from China to India, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

Water buffaloes stand 47 to 52 inches (120 to 133 cm) at the shoulder and weigh 660 to 1210 lb (300 to 550 kg).

(Bubalus depressicornis)

This small buffalo species is endemic to the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. They reside in undisturbed rainforest areas, living as solitary or paired animals rather than in herds like their water buffalo cousins. They have been classified as endangered since the 1960s, and their populations continue to decline, largely due to hunting and habitat loss from logging exploits, which creates habitat fragmentation. 

Lowland anoas stand less than 35 inches (90 cm) at the shoulder and weigh between 330 to 660 lb (150 to 300 kg). 

(Pseudoryx nghetinhensis)

Also called spindlehorn or Asian unicorn, the saola is a forest-dwelling bovid native to Vietnam and Laos. They live in restricted areas of high-altitude, moist evergreen forests in low population densities. They are listed as critically endangered, with the main threats being caught in snares intended for other animals and habitat fragmentation from logging and settlements. The saola is the only extant member of the Pseudoryx genus.

Little is known about average measurements of these animals, except for a 1998 publication by William G. Robichaud, based on a single female captive saola that lived only 15 days after being captured. She measured 33 inches (84 cm) at the shoulder. Saolas are thought to weigh approximately 175 to 220 lb (80 to 100 kg). 

(Syncerus caffer)

This is a large species of true buffalo native to Sub-Saharan Africa, found in several disconnected ranges from southeastern Senegal through West and Central Africa to South Africa. The fused bases of its horns are its primary distinguishing feature, a trait shared by all four subspecies. It is more closely related to the Asiatic water buffalo than to other bovids, such as the American bison or domestic cattle. It has an unpredictable, dangerous temperament that has possibly made it impossible to domesticate. The Cape buffalo (S. c. caffer) is the largest and most populous subspecies native to eastern and southern Africa. The brown Forest buffalo (S. c. nannus) is the smallest subspecies. 

African buffaloes range from 39 to 57 inches (100 to 170 cm) tall at the shoulder. Cape subspecies weigh 940 to 1920 lb (425 to 870 kg), and Forest subspecies weigh 600 to 1000 lb (250 to 450 kg).

(Taurotragus derbianus)

This open-forest and savanna antelope is listed as vulnerable and is the largest antelope species. It is native to Central and parts of Eastern Africa. The giant eland is named for its large horns rather than its overall body size. The name “eland” is derived from the Dutch word for “elk” or “moose.” There are two subspecies: the western and eastern giant elands. They live in savannas, woodlands, and glades, as in central and western Africa, and on the fringes of, or in, deserts. 

These animals stand 50 to 71 inches (128 to 181 cm) tall at the shoulder, and can weigh 300 to 1200 kg (660 to 2650 lb). 

(Taurotragus oryx)

This large antelope is at home on the savannah and plains of East and Southern Africa. They also prefer woodlands, open and montane grasslands, but avoid dense forests. There are three subspecies recognized: Cape, Livingstone’s, and East African. Common eland are known to be the slowest of the antelope species, with a peak speed of 25 mph (40 km/h).  Eland herds are known for loud clicking sounds that have been subject to much speculation. It’s thought that the weight of the animal causes the two haves of its hooves to splay apart, then quickly snap back together when it raises its leg, causing a loud clicking sound. 

Common eland stand 49 to 72 inches (125 to 183 cm) at the shoulder and weigh 660 to 2080 lb (300 to 940 kg). 

(Tetracerus quadicornis)

Also called “chousingha,” this small bovid antelope is native to central, south and western India, with a smaller population in Nepal. It is the sole member of Tetracerus and is listed as a vulnerable species. Three subspecies are currently recognized. Typically solitary by nature, these antelopes inhabit areas with significant plant cover, such as areas with tall grass or heavy undergrowth. Populations are heavily fragmented due to habitat loss from agricultural expansion. Genetic bottlenecking (“inbreeding”) threatens the stability of future populations that do not intermingle during breeding season. It is not only the smallest of Asian bovids, but it’s most distinguished with two additional rudimentary horns on the forehead in addition to two main horns located between the ears.

The four-horned antelope stands 22 to 25 inches (55 to 64 cm) at the shoulder and weighs 37 to 49 lb (17 to 22 kg). 

(Tragelaphus angasii)

This spiral-horned antelope is native to southern Africa and inhabits dense scrubland of dry savanna woodlands. These shy animals are perhaps the most sexually dimorphic antelopes. Males are horned with a dark brown or slate grey coat colour, and females are polled with a rusty or reddish-brown coat colour in females and young. Females also have more pronounced striping than older males. 

The nyala stands 36 to 43 inches (90 to 110 cm) tall, and weighs 55 to 125 lb (121 to 276 kg). 

(Tragelaphus eurycerus)

The bongo is a large, primarily nocturnal forest-dwelling antelope native to sub-Saharan Africa. As the third-largest antelope in the world, it is found in dense forest mosaics or tropical jungles with dense undergrowth, up to an elevation of 13,000 ft (4,000 m), and it bears two subspecies: the lowland bongo (listed as near threatened) and the mountain bongo (listed as critically endangered). Mature males are typically more solitary than females. 

Bongos measure 43 to 52 inches (110 to 130 cm) tall at the shoulder, and weigh 330 to  890 lb (150 to 405 kg). 

(Tragelaphus imberbis)

This is a medium-sized bushland antelope found in East Africa. They are listed as near-threatened due to habitat degradation and poaching. Male lesser kudus are larger, develop a yellowish-grey to dark grey coat with maturity, have a distinct black crest of hair along their backs, and are horned. Females and juveniles are reddish brown and lack horns as well as the mane of hair. 

Bulls reach 37 to 41 inches (95 to 105 cm) at the shoulder and weigh 203 to 238 lb (92 to 108 kg); cows reach 35 to 39 inches (90 to 100 cm) tall and weigh 123 to 154 lb (56 to 70 kg). 

(Tragelaphus strepsiceros)

This large woodland antelope is found throughout eastern and southern Africa. They occupy a widespread range; however, they are sparsely populated due to habitat loss, deforestation, and poaching. Bulls are larger than cows, horned, and possess beards running along their throats and down their neck. Cows are polled with no beards. Their main habitat is mixed scrub woodlands, and they don’t mind living near settled areas, abandoned fields, and degraded, scrubby pastures.

Kudus are one of the largest species of antelope, slightly smaller than the bongo. Bulls weigh 420 to 600 lb (190 to 270 kg) and stand up to 63 inches (160 cm) at the shoulder. Cows stand no more than 39 inches (100 cm) at the shoulder and weigh 260 to 460 lb (120 to 210 kg).

(Budorcas taxicolor)

This large member of the Caprinae family is found in the eastern Himalayas and includes four subspecies: the Mishmi takin, the Golden takin, the Tibetan takin, and the Bhutan takin. Scientists historically thought the takin a relative to the muskox (Ovibovini spp.) but mitochondrial research discoverd it has a closer relationship to sheep (Ovis spp.). 

Takin stand 38 to 55 inches (97 to 140 cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh 550 to 770 lb (250 to 350 kg). 

(Capra aegagrus)

Also called “wild goat,” the West Asian Ibex inhabits forests, shrublands and rocky areas from Turkey and the Caucasus of the west to Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan of the east. It is listed as near threatened due to habitat destruction and degradation. There are four subspecies of this wild goat, and it is thought that this is the ancestor for the domestic goat (C. hircus), particularly the Bezoar Ibex.

Not much data exists on size of these goats except that they are said to be similar in size and stature to domestic goats, weighing 100 to 120 lb (45 to 55 kg). 

(Capra cylindricornis)

This goat species lives in the eastern half of the Greater Caucasus mountains, thriving in the rough mountainous terrain on steep slopes where grasses and lichens cling on. They are listed as near threatened with habitat destruction and human habitation. It prefers to avoid human disturbance and will keep to rugged terrain for that reason, only occuring in gentler, and lower-elevation terrain where human habitation is minimal to nonexistent. 

These animals stand 33 to 41 inches (85 to 105 cm) at the shoulder and weigh 123 to 310 lb (56 to 140 kg). 

(Capra falconeri)

This wild goat species is native to the mountain regions of Central and South Asia, and is the national animal of Pakistan. It is also known as the screw-horned goat for its highly distinct flay, curly horns. It is adapted to mountainous terrain with shrub forests at elevations of 2,000 to 11,800 ft (600 to 3,600 m). 

Makhors stand 26 to 45 inches (65 to 115 cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh 71 to 243 lb (32 to 110 kg). 

(Capra hircus)

Domestic goats have been raised by humans for thousands of years for milk, meat, fibre, and hides across the world. It was one of the first animals to be domesticated around 10,000 years ago. They come in a wide variety of colours and coat colourations, and sizes. All breeds naturally have horns, some breeds have beards others have wattles on either side of their jaws. Some breeds have almost no ear, others have very long ears.

Each breed has specific weight ranges, varying from over 310 lb (140 kg) for bucks of large breeds like Boer, to 44 to 60 lb (20 to 27 kg) for smaller does.

(Capra ibex)

(Capra sibirica)

(Capra nubiana)

(Capricornis spp.)

(Hemitragus jemlahicus)

(Nemorhaedus spp.)

(Nilgiritragus hylocrius)

(Oreamnos americanus)

(Ovis aries)

(Ovis canadensis)

(Ovis dalli)

(Ovis gmelini)

(Ovibos moschatus)

(Pseudois nayaur)

(Rupicapra rupicapra)

(Sylvicapra grimmia)

(Hippotragus niger)

(Oryx beisa)

(Oryx gazella)

(Addax nasomaculatus)

(Kobus kob)

(Kobus leche)

(Kobus vardonii)

(Redunca spp.)

(Palea capreolus)