Tetracerus quadricornis
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-horned_antelope
Overview
Four-horned Antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis)
The four-horned antelope is a small, distinctive ungulate endemic to the Indian subcontinent. Males possess four short, straight horns—two anterior and two posterior pairs—making them unique among antelopes. Females are hornless.
Adults weigh 17-22 kg and stand 55-65 cm at shoulder height, with a reddish-brown to dark brown coat. These solitary animals are primarily browsers, feeding on leaves, fruits, and shoots, playing an important role in seed dispersal within their ecosystems.
The species inhabits deciduous forests, grasslands, and scrublands across India and Nepal, with populations concentrated in central and peninsular India. They prefer areas with dense vegetation cover near water sources and are typically found at elevations up to 900 meters.
Primary threats include habitat conversion for agriculture, particularly crop cultivation that fragments their forest habitat. Livestock grazing competes for food resources and degrades habitat quality. Hunting pressure persists despite legal protection, driven by local consumption and traditional medicine use. Logging operations continue to reduce available forest cover, while human settlements increasingly encroach on remaining habitat.
Conservation efforts include protection within India's network of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Several states have implemented specific management plans, and captive breeding programs operate at select facilities. Research initiatives focus on population monitoring and habitat assessment.
The species' outlook remains concerning, with continued population decline across most of its range. Habitat fragmentation has isolated populations, reducing genetic diversity and long-term viability. Without enhanced protection measures and habitat restoration, the four-horned antelope faces increasing extinction risk.
The four-horned antelope faces pressure from livestock grazing on its natural grassland and forest habitat, while farmers clear land to grow crops and loggers harvest trees from the forests where it lives. Hunters also target these animals, reducing their population numbers. All of these threats are currently ongoing and appear to be continuing at similar levels.
