Which animal is characteristic of semi-arid zone?
Semi-arid landscape comprising thorn scrub, dry deciduous forest edges, and fallow agriculture sustains diverse medium ungulates. Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus, largest Asian antelope, blue-grey male, tawny female, highly adaptable to dry scrub, crop fields, and degraded forests of semi-arid zone. Herds of 10-20 individuals browse Acacia, Zizyphus, cultivated sorghum, tolerate water scarcity. Characteristic of semi-arid because it avoids true desert extreme and dense forest, preferring open woodlands. Considered agricultural pest yet ecologically indicator of semi-arid integrity. This example illustrates how ecological adaptations correlate with biogeographic zonation and conservation prioritization in Indian context.
Ref: WII Ungulate Ecology Semi-arid Zone Nilgai; Mammals of India – Boselaphus tragocamelus Habitat