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What is the difference between the antelopes Oryx and Chiru?
Explanation
The primary difference between the two antelopes lies in their habitat adaptations. Oryx species, such as the Arabian oryx and gemsbok, are adapted to hot and arid near-desert conditions in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, where they can survive without water for long periods [4]. In contrast, the Chiru (Tibetan Antelope) is adapted to the cold, high-altitude environments of the Tibetan plateau and the cold deserts of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, typically inhabiting steppes and semi-desert areas [3]. Regarding other options, the Chiru is poached for its fine 'shahtoosh' wool rather than musk [1]. While the Chiru is found in the cold deserts of northern India (Ladakh), the Oryx is not native to India; the Indian antelope mentioned in similar arid contexts is the Black-buck or Chinkara [1].
Sources
- [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oryx
- [1] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > x) not evaluated (ne) > p. 16
- [2] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 3: Terrestrial Ecosystems > Bio-diversity > p. 29
- [3] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts > 16'6. Why to conserve the high altitude ecosystem? > p. 241