Interactions
Saiga are ruminant herbivores, which are active only during the
daytime. The Saiga tatarica population is made up of nomads. They
feed on a large variety of plants, mostly of the shrub-like variety
because the Saiga resides in arid flat lands. These organisms can
run very quickly, which is important when they are fleeing from
their greatest predator; a variety of species of wolves (Medley et
al., 2006). Wolves will attack adult Saiga if they can and they will
take advantage of any opportunity to prey on a newborn Saiga.
In some cases, smaller predators such as foxes or wild dogs will
feed on newborn Saiga.
There is a known problem with the Saiga population and parasites.
In places like Kazakhstan the Saiga are responsible for passing
helminthes and nematodes from their intestines to domestic livestock
(Medley et al., 2006). The people of those areas in Kazakhstan then
in turn, eat the meat of the livestock and then become infected.
Image used from: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GreyWolfOregonZoo.jpg
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