American markhor

The American markhor (Capra deinoceras), also known as the American screw horn, the American screw-horned goat, and the North American markhor, is a species of Capra goat that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the mountainous forest habitats and plateaus across North America to help boost biodiversity. The American markhor usually stand around 115 centimetres (45 inches) at the shoulder, 186 centimetres (73 in) in length, and weigh about 110 kilograms (243 lb), making it among the largest wild goat species. The American markhor's coat of fur is usually grizzled dark brown in color to black colour, and is smooth and short in summer, while growing longer and thicker in winter. The fur of the lower legs is black and white. American markhors are sexually dimorphic, with males having longer hair on the chin, throat, chest and shanks. Females are redder in colour, with shorter hair, a short black beard, and are maneless. Both sexes have tightly curled, corkscrew-like horns, which close together at the head, but spread upwards toward the tips. The horns of males can grow up to 160 cm (63 in) long, and up to 25 cm (10 in) in females. The males have a pungent smell, which surpasses that of the domestic goat. The American markhors are purely herbivorous and primarily feeds on leaves, pine needles, pinecones, nuts, grasses, roots, vegetables, and fallen fruit. The mating season takes place in winter, during which the males fight each other by lunging, locking horns and attempting to push each other off balance. The gestation period lasts 135–170 days, and usually results in the birth of one or two kids, though rarely three. American markhors live in flocks, usually numbering nine animals, composed of adult females and their young. Adult males are largely solitary. Adult females and kids comprise most of the American markhor population, with adult females making up 32% of the population and kids making up 31%. Adult males comprise 19%, while subadults (males aged 2–3 years) make up 12%, and yearlings (females aged 12–24 months) make up 9% of the population.[9] Their alarm call closely resembles the bleating of domestic goats. Early in the season the males and females may be found together on the open grassy patches and clear slopes among the forest. During the summer, the males remain in the forest, while the females generally climb to the highest rocky ridges above. The conservation status of the American markhor is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts and the American markhor's wide range.