Saiga Antelope
The Saiga antelope Saiga tatarica is native to western Mongolia, parts of Russia and Kazakhstan. It inhabits broad, open steppe landscapes where grasses and shrubs meet seasonal dust, wind, and wide temperature swings. In recent decades, populations have fallen sharply, and many groups are now considered critically endangered. Researchers monitor regional populations and subspecies as they adapt to habitat changes, disease risks, and human activity. The Saiga’s unique adaptations match its harsh climate, but the overall numbers remain highly vulnerable. Its woolly coat thickens by roughly 70 percent in winter, providing insulation against bitter cold, while the distinctive nose helps warm incoming air and filter dust as conditions shift. The species relies on extensive, unobstructed plains for seasonal movement, foraging, and calving, making intact migration routes and protected habitats essential for survival.
DID YOU KNOW?
– It is a critically endangered animal.
– Similar to sheep, these animals have woolly coats that become 70% thicker in the winter.
– Only males have horns.
– Part of their diet includes plants that other species would find poisonous.
– Its nose is thought to warm up inhaled air in the winter and filter out dust in the summer.
– They migrate across vast distances following seasonal forage.
– Calves are born after a short gestation and stay with the herd during early life.
– Die-offs linked to climate events and disease have highlighted the need for protected migration routes.