Bovidae, from Latin bos (“ox, cow or bull”), in reference to the fact that all the members of this family are ox-related.

Common names of members

Cattle, yaks, bison, buffalo, antelopes, goat-antelopes, sheep and goats.

Distribution 

Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America..

Size

They are large animals, varying in size from 25 cm tall and 3 kg in weight to 2.2 m tall and 1,500 kg.

Morphology

They have a blunt-ended nose, one or more pairs of horns (mostly on males) just after the oval or pointed ears, a distinct neck and limb structure, and a tail that differs according on the species in length and bushiness. Males typically exhibit greater and heavier dimensions than females, a trait known as sexual dimorphism. Bovids that range in size from medium to large have more sexual dimorphism. Their foot has four toes; the outside two, called dewclaws, are much smaller and hardly ever contact the ground, while the inner two, called hooves, are used for walking. Pelage color varies from pale white to black, brown and reddish brown.

Ecology & Habitat

Small species live in dense and closed habitat, such as forests and woodlands, and larger species live on high-fiber vegetation in open grasslands and savannahs.

Diet

Strictly herbivores, their eating patterns are correlated with body size; larger species graze on high-fiber flora in wide grasslands, whilst smaller animals forage in dense, enclosed environments. The main source of food is grasses and leaves.

Reproduction 

A majority are polygynous. Territorial males, like impalas, frequently attempt to keep resident females from relocating. On the other hand, males belonging to different species compete for and protect harems, which are small groupings of females. Male adults that successfully protect their harem frequently procreate with every individual in the group, thereby improving their reproductive fitness. Certain species also group together in leks, where males fight for territory or the right to mate.

Species known in Hong Kong

0.

Total species known

297

Species in the collection

3

Species in Hong Kong

0

References

Macdonald, D. W. (2006). The Encyclopedia of mammals. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acref/9780199206087.001.0001.

Nowak, R. M. (1999). Walker's Mammals of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press.