The saiga's strange nose is actually a very clever piece of design. Inside, it works like an air conditioner. In summer it cools down hot, dusty air before it reaches the lungs. In winter it warms up freezing air before the saiga breathes it in. It also filters out dust, which is everywhere on the open steppe.
Saigas live in herds of dozens or even thousands. They are travellers - over a single year, a saiga can walk and trot more than 1,000 kilometres looking for fresh grass. Baby saigas can stand up within minutes of being born and run with the herd within days. They have to - the herd does not wait.
Saigas are smaller than they look in pictures - only about 80 cm tall at the shoulder, similar to a large dog. Their fur changes colour with the seasons. In summer it is a warm sandy colour, perfect for blending into the grass. In winter it grows thicker and turns paler, to match snow.
Saigas have been on Earth for a very long time - they were around at the same time as the woolly mammoth! Today there are around 1.5 million of them, after a lot of work by scientists and protected areas across Central Asia. It is one of conservation's best comeback stories.