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Quick answer
The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is a spirally horned antelope of Indian and Nepalese grasslands; males turn dark brown-black with white underparts. Adults weigh about 40 kg, run near 80 km/h, and recovered from hunting lows to Least Concern in India — with introduced herds in Texas and Argentina.
Top questions about the Blackbuck
Blackbuck facts at a glance
- Weight 40 kg
- Length 1.2 m
- Top speed 80 km/h
- Lifespan 12 years
| Scientific name | Antilope cervicapra |
|---|---|
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Habitat | Open plains and scrub |
| Lifespan | Around 12 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 40 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 80 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Genus | Antilope |
Where it lives
The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is native to Grasslands of India and Nepal; introduced herds in Texas and Argentina. — recorded across Asia in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a blackbuck?
An adult blackbuck measures 1.2 m long — about 69% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 40 kg, about 57% of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of blackbucks called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Blackbucks is called a herd.
Baby name
A baby Blackbuck is called a fawn.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Spiral horns and colour change
Males darken with age and carry elegant V-shaped spiral horns; females remain fawn-coloured and hornless. Pointed snouts and white eye rings give a distinctive face.
Grazer of short grass
Diet is primarily grasses on open plains, with some browse. They need clear sightlines to spot wolves, jackals, and feral dogs. Across its range it is tied to open plains and scrub, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.
India–Nepal plains — plus exotics abroad
Grasslands of India and Nepal; introduced herds live in Texas and Argentina on ranchland. Across its range it is tied to open plains and scrub, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.
Temple protection and legal recovery
Once heavily hunted, blackbucks rebounded under legal protection and are Least Concern in much of India, though local poaching and grassland loss persist.
Explore the Blackbuck
Range & geography
Conservation status of the Blackbuck
The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Least Concern (LC) is the IUCN's lowest-risk category, assigned to widespread, abundant species that have been evaluated and found not to be threatened. It does not mean a species faces no pressures — only that it is not currently at risk of extinction.
The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is assessed on the IUCN Red List. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the Blackbuck
Why do male blackbucks look black?
Sexual dichromatism — mature males darken dramatically compared with tawny females.
How fast can a blackbuck run?
Sprints approach roughly 80 km/h on open ground.
Do female blackbucks have horns?
No — spiral horns are a male feature for the blackbuck.
Are blackbucks endangered?
They are Least Concern overall after recovery in India, though some local populations remain pressured.
Where do blackbucks live?
Grasslands of India and Nepal, plus introduced herds in Texas and Argentina.
What is a group of blackbucks called?
A group of Blackbucks is called a herd.
What is a baby blackbuck called?
A baby Blackbuck is called a fawn.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Blackbuck:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Antilope cervicapra.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Antilope cervicapra. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Antilope cervicapra. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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Global Animal Guide editorial standards
How we research, source, review, and update every guide for accuracy.
