meadowbok

The meadowbok (Meadowbokus pratensis) is a fictional species of small ungulate used in ecological teaching and speculative zoology. It is described here as a hypothetical organism for illustrating meadow adaptations. It belongs to Bovidae within Artiodactyla; the genus Meadowbokus and the species epithet pratensis are created for educational purposes.

Adults stand 40–60 cm at the shoulder and weigh 12–22 kg; both sexes have short, ridged horns, with males generally larger. Coat color varies from dun to light brown, often with a pale dorsal stripe that darkens in winter.

Habitat and ecology: They inhabit temperate meadows and light woodlands, typically near hedgerows and streams. They form small herds of 5–20 and are primarily diurnal. They are agile sprinters, using cover to evade predators. Diet consists mainly of grasses, forbs, and herbs, with modest winter browse.

Reproduction and life cycle: Breeding occurs in late winter to early spring. Gestation runs about 150–170 days, usually giving birth to a single fawn. Juveniles are independent after a few months, and lifespans in favorable conditions approach 8–12 years.

Conservation and significance: In simulated ecosystems, meadowboks serve as indicators of meadow health and herbivore–plant dynamics. Being fictional, they have no conservation status, but the concept highlights habitat quality, grazing pressure, and predator–prey interactions.