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Geophagy by Blackbucks on Termite Mounds: Unveiling a New Aspect of Dietary Predilection by Antelopes

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Abstract

A routine survey in blackbuck habitats in Bhetnoi region of Ganjam district in Odisha, India revealed an interesting behaviour of blackbucks, with a sub-adult male blackbuck licking and consuming the termite mound’s soils. To the best of our knowledge, this phenomenon has never been observed for blackbucks. This finding was reconfirmed on subsequent visits, with this behaviour being observed in 30% of total survey periods. This phenomenon is seen in a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, butterflies, and isopods, especially herbivorous isopods. It serves as a mineral supplement for the animal, as well as providing gastrointestinal relief and lowering gut toxicity. This observation provides impetus to articulate research questions regarding blackbucks' dietary habits in relation to termite mounds, and any knowledge on the nutrient/element composition of such termite mounds will reveal interesting facts and information that will help in a better understanding of the function of termite mounds in the diet of antelopes, especially blackbucks.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the anonymous reviewers for offering their critical comments on the original manuscript, which helped in improvising the scientific contents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Odisha Biodiversity Board, Regional Plant Resource Centre Campus, Ekamrakanan, Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar, 752015, Odisha, India

    Bishal Kumar Majhi & Ashis Kumar Das

  2. Department of Zoology, Berhampur University, Bhanja Bihar, Berhampur, 760007, Odisha, India

    Rajesh Lenka

  3. Department of Natural Resources Management and Geoinformatics, Khallikote University, Konisi, Berhampur, 761008, Odisha, India

    B. Anjan Kumar Prusty

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  1. Bishal Kumar Majhi
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  2. Rajesh Lenka
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Correspondence to B. Anjan Kumar Prusty.

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Majhi, B.K., Lenka, R., Das, A.K. et al. Geophagy by Blackbucks on Termite Mounds: Unveiling a New Aspect of Dietary Predilection by Antelopes. Proc Zool Soc 75, 139–142 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12595-021-00366-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12595-021-00366-6

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