The Gargantuan Gaur Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bos gaurus

Well, this wasn't too hard! Gaur belong to the genus Bos, which includes other species of wild or domesticated cattle such as yak and zebu. Bos primigenius is the scientific name of the aurochs, an extinct species of wild ox. Bubalus bubalis refers to the domestic water buffalo, and Bison bonasus to the European bison, or wisent.

The domesticated form of the gaur is called gayal (Bos frontalis).

Answer: Asia

Gaur have a very fragmented range, and are found in South and Southeast Asia, including parts of India, China and Bangladesh, as well as Myanmar, Indochina and peninsular Malaysia. According to IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) estimates, there are between 15,000 and 35,000 gaur left in the wild, with the largest populations occurring in southern India.

Answer: rhinoceros

Among living land animals, only elephants, rhinos, hippos and giraffes grow consistently heavier than gaur. An adult gaur bull can weigh as much as 1,500 kg (3,300 lbs) - though the average weight is somewhat lower - and males are about one-quarter larger and heavier than females. Gayal (semi-domesticated gaur) are smaller, though still respectably-sized animals.

Answer: high dorsal ridge

The ridge running from the middle of a gaur's back to its shoulders adds to the animal's massive size: the shoulders can be up to 12 cm (4.7 in) higher than the rump. Gaur are very tall as well as heavy, reaching a height of up to 220 cm (7 ft 3 in) at the shoulder.

They are generally dark brown with pale-coloured hocks, very short hair and large horns, flattened at the base and curving upwards. Females are usually lighter in colour and build, with more slender, upright horns.

Answer: forests

Nowadays gaur can be mostly found in evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests (possibly away from human habitation), with a preference for hilly terrain that offers plenty of water and forage such as shrubs, trees and grasses. Though gaur occur at altitudes of 2,800 m (9,200 ft) and more, they have a stronger affinity for low-lying areas. Because of human presence in many of their preferred ares of habitation, gaur have become increasingly nocturnal, and are rarely seen during the day.

Answer: leaves and fresh grasses

Gaur will eat almost any plant material, and many different plant species have been identified as a source of food for them. However, these animals seem to have a distinct preference for young, fresh grasses and the leaves of trees and shrubs. Depending on the season, they will also eat coarse, semi-dried grasses, herbs, seeds and the bark of some trees, such as teak - as well as crops, occasionally causing great damage to cultivations. Gaur spend a large part of their day feeding, with peak activity in the morning and early evening.

Answer: in herds of 5-12 individuals

Gaur's basic social unit is a small herd made up mostly of females and juveniles, led by an old adult female. Those groups rarely count more than 20 members, and any larger groups are probably temporary aggregations. The presence of adult bulls in a herd fluctuates according to the time of the year: in peak mating season (April or May) several bulls can join a herd.

Individual bulls often move from herd to herd looking for receptive cows, but then leave to form herds of of bulls only or live alone. Unlike other ungulate species, males rarely have to resort to fighting to assert dominance, as size seems to be the deciding factor.

Answer: 9 months

Gaur calves are born after 275 days (about nine months), just a few days earlier than domestic cattle. Females bear one calf (rarely two), which is weaned after 7-12 months. The peak of the breeding season goes from December to June, though gaur breed year-round.

Answer: humans

Due to their intimidating size, gaur have very few natural predators. Humans pose by far the greatest danger to these magnificent creatures, which are hunted for meat and traditional medicinal products, or poached for the international trophy trade. However, there have been reported cases of tigers and saltwater crocodiles (the largest living reptiles) killing fully grown adult gaur. Both these predators, as well as leopards and packs of wild dogs, often hunt calves or sick individuals.

However, in normal circumstances tigers will give herds of gaur a wide berth.

Answer: vulnerable

IUCN have classed gaur as a vulnerable species because of severe population decline in parts of its range (about 70% over the last three generations). In protected areas, such as India and Nepal, the decline has been considerably lower, and populations seem to have been increasing. On the other hand, hunting and habitat loss remain a major concern, especially in those parts of the gaur's range where poaching is undertaken by organized crime, in spite of the species' protected status in all of its range states.