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Homescience

10 Unique Facts About Blackbuck – The Rare and Endangered Indian Antelope

Graceful and swift, the blackbuck is one of India’s most unique antelopes. Here are 10 fascinating and lesser-known facts about this endangered species that highlight its rarity and charm.

Sheetal Kumari | July 07, 2025 / 18:06 IST
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India's Own Spiralled Beauty: The blackbuck, with its corkscrew horns and handsome coat, is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent and is noted for its grace and acrobatic skills. (Image: Canva)
India's Own Spiralled Beauty: The blackbuck, with its corkscrew horns and handsome coat, is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent and is noted for its grace and acrobatic skills. (Image: Canva)
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Sacred in Some Parts of India: In states such as Rajasthan, the blackbuck is sanctified and safeguarded due to religious reasons, particularly among the Bishnoi people. (Image: Canva)
Sacred in Some Parts of India: In states such as Rajasthan, the blackbuck is sanctified and safeguarded due to religious reasons, particularly among the Bishnoi people. (Image: Canva)
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Impressive Spiral Horns: Only male blackbucks possess the characteristic spiralled horns, measuring as long as 30 inches, used during mating fights. (Image: Canva)
Impressive Spiral Horns: Only male blackbucks possess the characteristic spiralled horns, measuring as long as 30 inches, used during mating fights. (Image: Canva)
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Swift and Agile Runners: Blackbucks are among the quickest antelopes, running at 80 km/h to outrun predators in the wild. (Image: Canva)
Swift and Agile Runners: Blackbucks are among the quickest antelopes, running at 80 km/h to outrun predators in the wild. (Image: Canva)
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Males Change Colours: Male blackbucks become darker with age, getting a dark black-brown color whereas females and young blackbucks stay light fawn in colour. (Image: Canva)
Males Change Colours: Male blackbucks become darker with age, getting a dark black-brown colour, whereas females and young blackbucks stay light fawn in colour. (Image: Canva)
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Lives in Open Plains: They like dry open grasslands and semi-desert habitats and can be seen grazing in large herds on India's flat plains. (Image: Canva)
Lives in Open Plains: They like dry open grasslands and semi-desert habitats and can be seen grazing in large herds on India's flat plains. (Image: Canva)
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Threatened but Protected: Although threatened by habitat loss and hunting, blackbucks are now legally protected by India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. (Image: Canva)
Threatened but Protected: Although threatened by habitat loss and hunting, blackbucks are now legally protected by India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. (Image: Canva)
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Alert and Timid Nature: Blackbucks are timid and alert creatures, never far from their herd and quickly responding to danger. (Image: Canva)
Alert and Timid Nature: Blackbucks are timid and alert creatures, never far from their herd and quickly responding to danger. (Image: Canva)
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Once Roamed Freely Across India: Formerly widespread throughout the land, blackbucks currently inhabit primarily guarded reserves and parks such as Velavadar and Ranebennur. (Image: Canva)
Once Roamed Freely Across India: Formerly widespread throughout the land, blackbucks currently inhabit primarily guarded reserves and parks such as Velavadar and Ranebennur. (Image: Canva)
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The blackbuck continues to be a symbol of India's rich wildlife heritage and a reminder of the need to preserve it for generations to come.
Symbol of Indian Wildlife Heritage: The blackbuck continues to be a symbol of India's rich wildlife heritage and a reminder of the need to preserve it for generations to come. (Image: Canva)

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