Saiga
Saiga tatarica
ok. 72 cmAdult male
at the shoulder
at the shoulder
- Mass
- 30–45 kgZakres gatunku
Saiga — size comparison
The saiga (Saiga tatarica) is an antelope of dry Central Asian steppes and semi-deserts, associated with extensive plains in Kazakhstan, Russia and Uzbekistan.
Silhouette comparison
Height
Ground barkReference values · details in the profiles
HeightScale in cm
020406080
approx. 72 cm
The scale compares the named dimensions. View direction and measurement points are given for each animal.
Saiga — size comparison — facts and sources
The saiga (Saiga tatarica) is an antelope of dry Central Asian steppes and semi-deserts, associated with extensive plains in Kazakhstan, Russia and Uzbekistan. An enlarged, soft, drooping nose is distinctive. Males have pale, ringed horns, while the light build suits long journeys.
It eats grasses, herbs, low shrubs and salt-tolerant plants. It lives in herds and is strongly migratory. Climate and plant availability influence seasonal movements, making the space between feeding grounds an important part of its habitat.
The short summer coat is yellowish-fawn; winter hair becomes longer, denser and almost white. The unusual nose serves a practical function: in summer it helps trap dust raised by the herd, and in winter it warms cold air before it reaches the lungs.
Animal Diversity Web podaje 60–80 cm w barku i 30–45 kg; na planszy przyjmujemy 72 cm. Profil przedstawia Saiga tatarica z zachodniej części zasięgu, nie mniejszą sajgę mongolską, którą współczesne ujęcia taksonomiczne mogą wyróżniać osobno. Status IUCN gatunku poprawił się w 2023 roku do bliskiego zagrożenia po silnym odbudowaniu populacji.