The Chiru or Tibetan antelope is one of the world's hardiest animals and can survive in extreme temperatures. The Chiru is able to tolerate weather extremes due to the layers of the dense, fine shahtoosh wool next to the skin. Females typically give birth to a single calf in June or July after mating in late November or December. Survival of young in the first year of life is low; at least two-thirds do not survive to the age of two. The maximum lifespan of this animal is up to 8 years. Livestock and Chiru may have to compete for forage (grasses) since their diets are similar and they overlap in the areas they range. Chiru stand about four feet high and make their home in remote areas above 10,000 feet (3,100 meters) on the alpine steppe (plateau) of northwest Tibet in China.