All about Gaur (Bos gaurus)

[Rishi]

(08-27-2019, 11:01 AM)Shadow Wrote: Gaurs are in that way interesting, that there seems to be controversiality about weights. Or at least it is a bit unclear, that how big they are in different countries. Some sources say, that in India gaurs aren´t as heavy as in some other places. 

Like this quote:
"Gaur is the tallest living oxen and the second heaviest.  The gaur bull weighs 600-1000 kg and stands 1.6 to 1.9 m of shoulder height whereas cows are about 10 cm shorter than the bull and weigh about 450 to 800 kg."

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265096609_Gaur-_A_wild_cattle_in_grave_peril

Also this: 
" Adult gaur bulls weigh 600-940 kg and stand 1.6 to 1.9 m at shoulder [2]. The adult cows are about 10 cm shorter in height [3] and weigh about one fourth less than the adult males [4]."

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235943183_Home_Range_Habitat_Use_and_Food_Habits_of_Re-Introduced_Gaur_Bos_Gaurus_Gaurus_in_Bandhavgarh_Tiger_Reserve_Central_India

Then there is this:

" On average, males stand about 180-190 cm at the shoulder and females about 160-170 cm. Weight of males ranges from 1000-1500 kg."

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234100426_Modelling_of_habitat_Suitability_for_Gaur_Bos_gaurus_using_multiple_logistic_regression_remote_sensing_and_GIS

I´ve seen some study saying, that in India gaurs wouldn´t be the heaviest one, but heaviest were in some other country, but I don´t now remember what study it was, have to look closer when a bit more time. But that could explain why 2 studies give for gaurs in India (males) that weight range from 600-1000 kg and then that last one talking about all gaurs give bigger numbers.

I also remember seeing one study etc. where was average weight for gaur bulls something like 830-840 kg, which is naturally a lot. Still for me it looks like, that most of gaurs we see in photos are more likely less than 1000 kg than close to 1500 kg. People tend to like see big things and of course already a bovine over 800 kg is massive. But maybe many see there almost double of that based on it, that mixing up exceptional weights to averages as it happens with many other animals too.

Indian gaurs are not really a homogeneous lot... From what can be assessed from photographs the ones  living in Central India are clearly smaller & lighter than the one from north/northeast, with the one from South India easily being the largest & bulkiest.

The gaurs from Indochina are atleast of same size as the ones living in adjoining parts of northeast India, maybe more. Reply