Fun Chinese Goral Facts For Kids

The Chinese goral is an interesting species of the Bovidae family that is noted as an in-between animal of the antelope and goat. The Naemorhedus griseus species is also known as the grey long-tailed goral, and it is closely related to the Naemorhedus caudatus or long-tailed goral.

The rocky and mountainous areas of east-central China are the main home for these Gorals, but it is also found in other countries of southeastern Asia.

As Chinese gorals reside in rocky terrains that may get extremely cold, this species sports a double coat. During winters, the dark grey or brown coat gets fluffier to protect from the harsh winds.

The conical horns of these gorals are quite powerful, and it is more prominent in males. Chinese gorals are good at hiding from predators by living in some of the most inaccessible parts of mountains.

However, humans haven't left gorals alone, and their population has dwindled due to overhunting. It is currently classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature or the IUCN Red List.

Are you enjoying learning about these animals? Then keep on reading to know more Chinese goral facts! Also, don't forget to read our articles on banded palm civet facts and Siberian tiger facts to study diverse animal species.

Chinese Goral Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Chinese goral?

The Chinese goral (Naemorhedus griseus) is also called the grey long-tailed goral and is a small ungulate.

What class of animal does the Chinese goral belong to?

The Chinese goral belongs to the class Mammalia and the genus Naemorhedus. It is one of the four species of gorals present in the genus. The Chinese goral is closely related to the Naemorhedus caudatus, also known as the Long-tailed goral.

How many Chinese gorals are there in the world?

As these small goat-like animals often dwell in rocky cliffs and steep, inaccessible places, it is hard to keep track of their exact population. However, their numbers have been dwindling due to hunting by local people.

Where does Chinese goral live?

Through the name, you can understand that these animals are found in China, specifically on steep slopes of the east-central part of the country. The Chinese goral is also found in northeastern India, Myanmar, northern Vietnam, as well as in Thailand. A considerable population of animals is found in the northern Laos region.

What is a Chinese goral's habitat?

The Chinese goral (Naemorhedus griseus) is an adventurous species, and it likes to live in rocky and steep areas. It is commonly found in the mountain areas of its native countries, especially in rugged and inaccessible areas.

At times this animal can also venture towards a habitat like the evergreen and deciduous forest or mixed woodland areas mainly in search of food.

Who does Chinese goral live with?

Chinese goral older males are usually solitary, while the females reside in groups that may have up to 12 individuals including the kids.

How long does Chinese goral live?

The approximate lifespan of the Chinese gorals is between 10-22 years.

How do they reproduce?

The breeding season of Chinese gorals varies according to their location. One population may mate during late Spring while others breed from September to December. After mating, the gestation period for females can range from 170-215 days, and they give birth to 1-2 kids.

Young kids can stand and walk right after birth. It takes 7-8 months for the young to completely wean from the mother.

Sexual maturity occurs after almost three years after birth. The young are the ones targeted by predators, even though most are adept at hiding behind the cliffs. The young remain with their mothers during the winter season long after the breeding is over.

What is their conservation status?

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, this grey long-tailed goral has the status of Vulnerable.

Chinese Goral Fun Facts

What do Chinese Gorals look like?

When it comes to the physical characteristics of the Chinese goral, it does look quite plain. The males tend to be larger than female gorals.

Additionally, males also have stronger and more elaborate horns that can seriously injure opponents. Compared to other species, goral horns are conical in shape. The look of the goral is described to have in-between characteristics of goats and antelopes.

To remain warm during the harsh winter months, this species has developed a double fur coat. The undercoat is short and dense, while the overcoat is coarser and longer. Coat colors can vary between pale grey, reddish-brown, or even dark brown.

Males can also be darker compared to female gorals and can sport a mane. These animals also have pointed long ears. Chinese gorals have a stocky, muscular body with strong limbs that are perfect for climbing cliffs.

How cute are they?

Chinese gorals are extremely cute, especially in their kid stage. During winters these animals grow a longer coat giving them an adorable fluffy look.

How do they communicate?

A lot is not known about the communication style of this species, but it does have good hearing and eyesight. Moreover, its ability to smell its surroundings helps it to find food and stay away from predators.

The male often fights with each other using their strong horns. We can guess that these animals might use sense markers as a common form of communication.

How big is a Chinese Goral?

The average shoulder height of the species ranges between 20-31 in (50-78 cm) while its body measures 32-51 in (82-130 cm).

Chinese gorals are similar in size to the Himalayan gorals and have an average body length range of 31.8-51.1 in (81-130 cm) and an average shoulder height range of 22-31.4 in (56-80 cm), as species that are also found in China.

How fast can a Chinese Goral run?

Goral is a species known for its running capabilities, even in its wild rocky terrain. Its fast running capabilities also help to outrun the predators present in the wild habitat. However, the exact speed of this species is yet to be noted.

How much does a Chinese Goral weigh?

The average weight range of the Chinese goral is around 44-92.5 lb (20-42 kg).

What are the male and female names of the species?

Male gorals are known as bucks while females are known as does.

What would you call a baby Chinese Goral?

There is no specific name for baby Chinese Goral.

What do they eat?

Chinese gorals are herbivorous and their diet mainly consists of twigs, shrubs, and grass around in their natural wild habitat. As a ruminant, grass is a predominant component of its diet, especially during the Spring months.

Are they poisonous?

No, Chinese gorals aren't poisonous animals. Moreover, these animals try to stay away from humans as much as possible by inhabiting rocky regions and cliffs. Hence, it isn't likely to bite you, but it can scare you with its horns when it is irritated.

Would they make a good pet?

No, Chinese gorals are wild endangered animals; hence it is illegal to keep them as a pet. However, it is a popular zoo animal, and you can surely catch a glimpse of it at a place like the Los Angeles Zoo in the United States. In the UK, you can visit this species at the Edinburgh Zoo.

Did you know...

Chinese gorals prefer a habitat situated at a height between 3,000-8,000 ft (0.9-2.4 km).

Chinese gorals have four teats instead of two.

Chinese Goral IUCN

The Chinese goral is described as Vulnerable in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Chinese Goral endangered causes

Hunting is the primary cause for the Chinese goral to have a vulnerable population. The activity is mainly practiced by native people of the mountain areas making the species endangered. Apart from humans, adult Chinese goral has little to no predators.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including Javan Rhinoceros facts and African Civet facts.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Chinese Goral coloring pages.