The Sambar deer was lost from sight for a few hundred years before being rediscovered by British naturalist George Blyth in 1847.
This species is native to the tropical forests of India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. It’s similar to other species found in these countries but it has characteristics that make it stand out.
The Sambar deer has brownish-golden fur with hooves that are longer than its body. These features give the Sambar deer an unmistakable look among other animals of the region.
What is a sambar deer?
Sambar deer are small antlered animals that have a light-brown coat with reddish reflections on the rump, neck, shoulders, and legs.
The male has a single pair of antlers while the female does not have any horns. The male can weigh up to 19 kilograms while females generally weigh about 12 kilograms.
The males have antlers that are about 20 centimeters long while females have smaller ones that are about 10 centimeters long.
Food Habits
The Sambar Deer is an herbivore that feeds on plant leaves, shoots and roots though they may also eat fruits when it is available.
Geographic Range
The Sambar deer is a shy deer that lives in the jungles of India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Due to deforestation, this species is threatened by extinction.
Habitat
Their habitat mainly consists of dense forests, thorny scrubland, grasslands, and moist deciduous forests.
Physical Description
The sambar deer have a gray coat, with spots on their face, ears, and neck. Males have antlers that can range from eight to twelve inches in length. Females have smaller antlers that grow only to about three inches.
Reproduction -Breeding
The breeding season for this species typically takes place from November to March, when males and females come together in a system of dominance hierarchy to mate.
However, during mating season, a female sambar deer will be dominant over the male.
The Sambar Deer is pregnant for an average of 7 months during which time she will give birth to 1-5 young ones at a time.
The female Sambar Deer will give birth standing up because she cannot move her head once it comes out of the birth canal.
How long does a sambar deer live?
Sambar Deer have been reported to live up to 15 years on average. In captivity, they have been reported to live up to 25 years on average.
Communication and Perception
Sambar deers communicate through scent marking which involves urinating on bushes and trees to announce their presence to other sambar deers or marking territory with their dung.
The urine contains distinctive scents that are attractive to females and repulsive to males.
They mainly rely on sight as means of communication but they do use sound too- they produce loud braying calls during mating seasons.
They also have an acute sense of smell which allows them to locate food sources over great distances.
Anti-predator Adaptations
Sambar deer have evolved to be able to survive in the face of predators. They can escape by hiding, running, freezing, and standing stock-still.
Sambar Deer is one of the few animals that are not afraid of humans because they have adapted to be able to hide from them. Their most notable adaptation is their ability to freeze when prey is captured.
Ecosystem Roles
Sambar deer are keystone species that play a major role in their ecosystems. They act as prey for predators like jackals, tigers, leopards, and foxes.
They also act as pollinators for other plants like flowers and trees by consuming nectar or fruit.
Conservation Status
They have been classified as a Near Threatened species by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Population
The data gathered by forest officials suggest that there are about 1 million sambar deer left in India which is a reduction from 5 million recorded in 2004.
How fast can a sambar deer run?
The Sambar Deer is one of the fastest animals on Earth, with speeds reaching up to 80kmph. When it comes to speed, it can outrun most other animals on the planet.
The only other creature that can beat the Sambar Deer is the cheetah which can run at up to 100kmph.
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Where is sambar deer found in India?
There are two main types of sambar deer found in India, one is the black-buck and the other is the rusa. The black-buck is found in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Goa while the Rusa is mostly found in Himachal Pradesh.
Is sambar deer endangered in India?
The Sambar deer is listed as a globally endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. The Global Forest Watch found that more than half of its habitat has been lost since 1990.
Why are sambar in Endangered?
One of the main reasons for this decline in population is poaching and hunting by humans. In addition, the forest fires have also caused a lot of damage to these animals.
Where do sambar deer sleep?
When it rains, they like to stay in the highlands, where the temperature is cooler. They also like to sleep on top of fallen logs, which can make it difficult for predators to reach them.
What plants do sambar deer avoid?
Sambar deer avoid plants with a strong, sweet smell. One of the most common plants that sambar deer avoid is the mango tree.
Can sambar deer swim?
Sambar deer can swim.They have been shown to swim for up to 20 minutes on their hind legs at a time.
İs sambar deer aggressive?
The Sambar deer is not aggressive towards humans unlike other species of antelopes. This is because it spends most of its time grazing on grasses and bushes, unlike it’s relatives which are mostly found in open plains and forests.
They are not generally aggressive towards humans except when they feel threatened.
İs sambar deer good to eat?
Eating Sambar Deer has been linked with curing cancer for many people in India. In addition to curing cancer, they also have high amounts of nutrients that can help fight against obesity and diabetes. They also have high amounts of protein that can help fight against.