One of the most distinctive members of the goral family, instantly recognizable by—you guessed it—its unusually long tail. While most gorals sport short, stubby tails barely noticeable against their stocky bodies, this species carries a tail that can reach up to 18 cm (7 in) long, almost giving it a fox-like look compared to its relatives. Native to the mountains of northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula, and parts of eastern Russia, it thrives in steep, rocky landscapes where its agility and climbing skills give it a natural edge.

In terms of appearance, the Long-tailed Goral is a medium-sized, goat-like mammal. Its coat is coarse and gray-brown, sometimes with lighter underparts and a darker dorsal stripe running along the back. Both males and females have short, backward-curving horns, though males’ are slightly thicker and more robust. Its most famous feature, however, remains the tail, which is not only longer than that of other gorals but also quite expressive—it twitches and swishes when the animal is alert or agitated, adding to its character.

Behaviorally, the Long-tailed Goral is a creature of cliffs and crags. It prefers rugged terrain with rocky outcrops, steep slopes, and forest edges, often at 500–2,000 meters (1,640-6,562 feet). This terrain provides abundant grasses, herbs, and shrubs for food and natural protection from predators. Gorals are sure-footed and can easily scale near-vertical slopes, leaping from rock to rock in ways that leave predators like wolves and leopards far behind. They are usually found in small groups, often family units, though solitary males are common. Most active at dawn and dusk, they spend midday resting in shaded rocky crevices.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

China

2020

Korea

<800

Official estimate

EN

2020

North Korea

2020

Possibly Extinct

Russia

2020