Markhor

mountain goat · spiral horns · Asia · endangered

Incredible spiral horns. Male markhors have long, corkscrew-shaped horns that spiral outward and can grow more than five feet long. These amazing horns make markhors look like they're wearing nature's crown.

Mountain climbers. Markhors live in steep, rocky mountain regions of Central and South Asia, including famous ranges like the Karakoram and Himalayas. They are so skilled at climbing that they can balance on nearly vertical cliffs.

Found across six countries. You can find markhors in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, wherever the mountains are highest and wildest.

Needs our protection. Since 2015, markhors have been listed as Near Threatened, meaning they're not yet endangered but their numbers are dropping. Hunting and habitat loss are the main threats to their survival.

Winter survivors. Markhors have thick coats that protect them from freezing mountain temperatures, and they eat tough plants like leaves and shrubs that grow in rocky areas.