Kingdom : Animalia Class : Mammalia Family : Bovidae Scientific Name : Pseudoryx nghetinhensis Colour : Brown, Black, Red Skin Type : Fur Size(L) : 150cm - 200cm (59in - 77in) Weight : 80kg - 100kg (176lbs - 220lbs) Top Speed : 40km/h (23mph) Life Span : 8 - 12 years Most Distinctive Feature : Horns that can grow up to 50cm long Fun Fact : Only known to science since 1992!
- Saolas are a type of antelopes that are found in the border of North Central Vietnam and Laos.
- They were first discovered in the year 1992 and are extremely rare to find.
- It is thought that only a few individuals are surviving in the world!
- They are believed to be closely related to wild cattle despite their resemblance to Arabian Desert Antelopes.
- They are one of the most distinctive species of antelopes and as a result have been given their own taxonomical group.
- They have sharp pointed horns on their head and can grow up to 50cm long.
- Their face has distinctive, white markings and they have a small, fluffy back tail.
- They inhabit the dense, evergreen forests, with a water source nearby, at altitudes between 400m-1,000m above sea level.
- They are quite solitary by nature but can also be found in small groups of 3-7 individuals.
- The male saola are territorial by nature, marking their territory with a smelly, sticky secretion from their maxillary glands.
- They are diurnal animals, actively feeding during the day and resting at night.
- They mate at the start of the monsoons and the female saola gives birth to a single calf after a 7-8-month gestation.
- They are herbivores, feeding on fig leaves, other leaves, grass, herbs, fruits, seeds and nuts.
- Typically, they are always found close to mountain streams or slow-moving rivers.
- Their natural predators in the wild are most commonly the tigers and the crocodiles.
- They have been hunted by humans for their unique horns.
- Saolas are considered to be a species that is critically endangered as there were only 13 individuals in 1992, in captivity.