SCIENTIFIC NAME: Antilope cervicapra

The Black Buck originates from India and was imported to the US over 50 years ago. It's one of the fastest animals in the world and one of the few antelope where the males and females are sexually dimorphic. As the name black buck implies, males darken at maturity. White highlights the eyes, ears, chin, under parts, and rump. The antelope's long spiraled horns have sharp tips and can reach a length of 27 inches. Both female and male are born brown and white in color. Only the male grows horns and at about three years he becomes a dominant male and the brown turns to a dark black. Herds are usually composed of a single male with a number of female and young, with a few males on the outskirts of the territory. Males show dominance by a display of horns and threatening postures. Horns can be used as weapons, but are seldom used in battle. The black buck is hunted for trophy and meat, which along with human encroachment on habitat, has put a strain on the numbers.