Seasonal food preferences and group activity pattern of Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra (L., 1758) (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae) in a semi-arid region of western Haryana, India

To evaluate food preferences and group activity patterns, a fragmented population of Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra was selected for observation in semi-arid ecosystem western Haryana. A field survey conducted fortnightly, from dawn to dusk, between September 2019 August 2020, covering every season. Scan sampling quadrat methods were used record data on size vegetation. Group sizes ranged 3 72 individuals. Based visual observation, blackbuck seasonally consumed 26 species belonging 25 families with varied preferences, out total 53 plant documented the study site. Some high medicinal therapeutic values preferred, including Artemisia scoparia, Cucumis callous, Ziziphus jujuba, nummularia. Unlike most herbivores, also toxic medicinally rich Calotropis procera. We suggest that zoos which house include these preferred wild their diet. Observations analyzed hourly, monthly seasonal bases, converted into time percentages. foraging at maximum monsoon (62%) minimum winter (50%), followed by resting: (21%) (12%) monsoon, largely influenced availability. Foraging/walking ratio (5.2) (3.1) winter, correlated number sightings (maximum monsoon) nearby farmland, when animals faced scarcity natural habitat fed crops.