Species MammalsNilgai

Nilgai

Boselaphus tragocamelus

RareMammal
Illustration of Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus)

The largest antelope in Asia, the Nilgai was brought from India to south Texas ranches in the 1920s and 30s and never left. Free-ranging herds now number in the tens of thousands across the brush country, where bulls carry a striking blue-grey coat that earns them the name blue bull. Big, wary, and fast, a Nilgai on the horizon is one of the strangest sights in American ranchland.

Habitat
Mesquite brushland and coastal grassland of south Texas; introduced
Diet
Grasses, leaves, and fruit
How common
Rare

Best time to see a Nilgai

The best time to see a Nilgai is October–March, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 718 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Nilgai? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Nilgai sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Nilgai? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Nilgai is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love mammals? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More mammals

Nine-banded Armadillo
Nine-banded Armadillo
Dasypus novemcinctus
North American Beaver
North American Beaver
Castor canadensis
North American Beaver
North American Beaver
Castor canadensis
North American Least Shrew
North American Least Shrew
Cryptotis parva
North American Porcupine
North American Porcupine
Erethizon dorsatum
North American River Otter
North American River Otter
Lontra canadensis
North American River Otter
North American River Otter
Lontra canadensis
North American Wolverine
North American Wolverine
Gulo gulo luscus