Seasonal reproduction of captive Himalayan tahrs (Hemitragus jemlahicus) in relation to latitude

Abstract

We obtained 1,117 birth dates of captive Himalayan tahrs held in 25 zoological institutions located between 43°32'S and 60°10'N, from the International Species Information System. The birth season was not longer near the equator, and it did not begin earlier at higher latitudes. As expected, the birth seasons in northern and southern hemispheres occurred 6 months apart. We suggest that photoperiod, environmental, and physiological factors, could influence the onset and duration of the mating season of captive Himalayan tahrs.