saiga

[ sahy-guh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a goatlike antelope, Saiga tatarica, of western Asia and eastern Russia, having a greatly enlarged muzzle.

saiga

/ ˈsaɪɡə /

either of two antelopes, Saiga tatarica or S. mongolica, of the plains of central Asia, having an enlarged slightly elongated nose

Origin of saiga¹

1795–1805; (< New Latin ) < Russian saĭgá ( k ) < Turkic; compare Chagatai sayğak

Origin of saiga¹

C19: from Russian

Hodgson was apparently not well acquainted at the time with saiga, or he would have certainly alluded to the affinity.

Dr. Murie notices the inflation of the post-maxilla in the saiga, and states that a similar extension is to be found in the chiru.

The chiru, which belongs to the typical or antilopine section of antelopes, is probably allied to the saiga.

Gesner has mentioned this animal under the name of colus, and Gmelin under that of saiga.

The horns of the antelopes are black and opaque; those of the saiga, on the contrary, are whitish and transparent.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

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