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I N T R O D U C T I O N

The markhor is the largest member of the goat family and surely one of the strangest in appear­ ance. It is found in the mountains of southwest Asia and the males are characterized by long, straight and twisted horns, and thick leg hair, forming what look like pantaloons.

“And now, worshiper of final causes and the mere useful in nature, answer but one question—why this prodigal variety?” G laucus by C harles K ingsley , 1855 E volution has produced many curiosities in the animal kingdom—creatures with strange shapes, creatures that look frightening yet are unable to cause any harm, crea­ tures with incredible colorings and markings, and creatures that mimic each other or that don’t even look like animals at all. In the animal kingdom every form of behavior and every facet of an animal’s structure and shape are there for a reason. An animal may have evolved to blend in with its environment, like the fish of the Sargasso Sea, which are almost indistinguish­ able from the floating seaweed that covers the surface of its habi­ tat. Similarly, an animal may display brilliant colors that make it stand out from its surroundings; here its appearance may serve as a warning to other creatures that this animal is poisonous or can cause some kind of harm. To our eyes an animal may have the most beautiful of markings, and these may be simply a character­ istic to help camouflage it or attract a mate. Whatever its appearance—however strange, frightening, or beautiful—there is undoubtedly a reasonable explanation for

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