Herein we present to you our listing of 5 Fabulous Deer Varieties. At the moment, experts recognize 43 separate species of this amazing animal. They inhabit every continent except Antarctica and Australia. In addition, many species have been introduced into regions outside of their native range, often intentionally. But wherever man encounters them, the various species all remain impressive. We hope that you enjoy reading it!
Sambar
Sambar Facts
- Leading off our list of 5 Fabulous Deer Varieties is the remarkable and quite fascinating species known as the Sambar.
- Firstly, and also extremely unfortunately, the IUCN currently lists this marvelous animal as Vulnerable for a variety of reasons.
- Most notably, the population of this impressive variety of deer has declined rapidly due to severe overhunting and human encroachment.
- In a rather fascinating evolutionary development, the physical appearance of this species varies quite widely across its endemic range.
- In addition, several recognized subspecies of this extraordinary mammal exist in other portions of its general region.
Sambar Physical Description
Both the size and color of the Sambar varies rather extensively throughout its endemic range. Depending upon regional variations, an average adult may attain a height at the shoulder of between 40-63 in (102-160 cm).
Likewise, the weight of an average adult also ranges from 330-710 lb (150-320 kg). However, exceptional specimens of this animal sometimes reach weights of as much as 1,200 lb (546 kg).
The antlers also typically grow large and rugged and average roughly 43 in (110 cm) in a span. The coat also typically has a shaggy and coarse nature.
In color, the Sambar ranges from a dark gray to a yellowish brown in color. Finally, the tail grows relatively long for a deer, and the adults also possess a short, dense mane.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Cervidae
- Genus: Rusa
- Species: R. unicolor
Sambar Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
Firstly, the Sambar evolved as endemic to southern Asia and Southeast Asia. It also occurs in a wide range of habitat types. These include dry forests, subtropical mixed forests, moist evergreen forests, and tropical forests.
This range also extends from the southern portions of the Himalayas to mainland Asia, through parts of China, and all the way to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.
Within its native range, the Sambar also prefers to inhabit dense regions of deciduous grasses and shrubs. These provide the creature with a measure of protective cover.
This also serves to provide it with readily available food. The animal feeds upon a wide variety of plant species. These include foliage, grass, fruits, and water plants. It also feeds on shrubs and small trees.
It also remains a hardy species, inhabiting elevations of as much as 11,500 ft (3,500 m). The Sambar rarely lives very far from sources of flowing water.
Finally, individuals of this animal live as either nocturnal or crepuscular in their patterns. The adult male typically lives alone most of the time. The females and young live in small groups of up to sixteen individuals and commonly prefer to breed year round.
Javan Rusa
Javan Rusa Facts
- The next animal in this article about 5 Fabulous Deer Varieties is the truly impressive mammal known as the Javan Rusa.
- Firstly, it must be noted that this unique and impressive herbivore has an extremely restricted endemic habitat range
- However, the actions of mankind have also introduced it into a widespread portion of the Southern Hemisphere.
- Given its rather limited natural habitat range, as well as other factors, the IUCN has, quite understandably, listed this animal as Vulnerable
- Sadly, this remarkable mammal also now faces the same other threats to its existence that many species find themselves facing.
- These threats primarily include climate change and also habitat loss, both due to human activity and encroachment on its habitat.
Javan Rusa Physical Description
Most notably, the beautiful Javan Rusa displays a quite noticeable degree of sexual dimorphism, just as virtually all related species do.
Males attain a rather significantly larger size than females, averaging a head-to-body length of about 6.1 ft (1.86 m), compared to 4.7 ft (1.44 m) for females.
In addition, the males also develop a stockier build, attaining an average weight of roughly 353 lb (160 kg), whereas females average 163 lb(74 kg).
Also, in coloring, the pelage of this wonderful mammal typically displays a shade of grayish-brown and usually appears quite coarse in texture.
Most notably, however, the ears remain its most distinguishing feature, being among the largest of related species in relation to body size.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Cervidae
- Genus: Rusa
- Species: R. timorensis
Javan Rusa Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
Firstly, the magnificent Javan Rusa appears to have evolved as endemic solely to the islands of Timor, Bali, and Java, in Indonesia, in Asia.
However, through the actions of humans, this amazing animal has now been introduced to dozens of other islands throughout the region, as well as Australia.
Fortunately for it, the Javan Rusa has proven itself to be rather adaptable, inhabiting savannas, deciduous forests, and even parklands.
Also, as a herbivore, it feeds primarily on a variety of leaves, fruit, and grasses, and does not drink water at all, acquiring all its water from its food
In addition, the natural predators of this amazing creature include the dhole, the Javan leopard, pythons, crocodiles, and even the Komodo Dragon.
Finally, this deer, like most related species, typically lives as a social animal, with individuals rarely being spotted alone.
Kashmir Musk Deer
Kashmir Musk Deer Facts
- The third entry on this list of 5 Fabulous Deer Varieties is the truly unique, and seemingly unreal to some, Kashmir Musk Deer.
- Firstly, the Kashmir Musk Deer remains a rather highly reclusive species of deer. Believed to be extinct until 2008, this unique animal had not been seen for more than sixty years prior to that.
- Due to this, and other factors, the IUCN lists the Kashmir Musk Deer as Critically Endangered.
- Due to its reclusive nature and the ruggedness of its native terrain, it currently remains impossible to estimate its actual numbers, however.
- The major threats to its existence seem to be habitat loss and local hunting.
- In a pitiful commentary on the nature of some human beings, poachers also hunt the amazing creature solely for its scent glands.
Kashmir Musk Deer Physical Description
The most distinctive physical characteristic of the relatively diminutive Kashmir Musk Deer remains its development of two small tusks. These it uses during the mating season to compete for females.
Most notably, the species displays sexual dimorphism in this regard. Only the males develop unique tusks.
The animal also averages about 24 in (60 cm) in height at the shoulder.
The coloring primarily seems to be a random mottling of brown, gray, and black.
Its precise lifespan remains undetermined but is believed to be approximately seven years.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Moschidae
- Genus: Moschus
- Species: M. cupreus
Kashmir Musk Deer Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
The remarkable Kashmir Musk Deer was originally endemic to portions of Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, in Asia. Since 2008, observers have spotted a total of only three different individuals in the wild.
Also, all three individuals appeared on the extremely steep and rugged northeastern slopes of Afghanistan. This further complicates efforts to study them.
The species also has a herbivorous diet in nature and seems to be principally crepuscular. It appears to feed primarily on a combination of grass, leaves, shrubs, and lichen.
However, its precise lifespan also remains undetermined, but experts believe it to be approximately seven years.
Reindeer
Reindeer Facts
- The fourth entry in this compilation of 5 Fabulous Deer Varieties is perhaps the most well-known in parts of the world, the Reindeer.
- The term Reindeer applies to a variety of deer native to a specific, and rather harsh, section of the world.
- Interestingly, individuals of this impressive species often vary much more widely in color and size than most animals.
- In addition to the simple facts of its beauty, one fact sets this creature apart from all other known animals.
- In a unique adaptation to the climate in which it evolved, reindeer remain the only known mammals capable of seeing ultraviolet light.
- Though still numerous, its numbers appear to be in decline. The primary reason for this seems to be climate change.
Reindeer Physical Description
The color of the fur of the Reindeer varies considerably, both in individuals and with the season. Its coloring ranges from off-white to a dark brown or sometimes mottled.
In addition, contrary to popular belief, both sexes develop antlers. However, the antlers of the female generally stay significantly smaller than those of the males.
Yet overall, the antlers of this beautiful ruminant average up to 39 in (100 cm) in length and 53 in (135 cm) in beam width.
The males grow larger than the females and will average roughly 7 ft(2.13 m) in length, and weigh an average of 400 lb (182 kg). A few rare males sometimes attain a weight of as much as 700 lb (318 kg).
Typically, an adult also stands an average of 59 in (150 cm) tall at the shoulder.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Cervidae
- Genus: Rangifer
- Species: R. tarandus
Reindeer Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
The powerful and majestic Reindeer evolved as native to the Arctic and subarctic regions of the world.
However, the animal migrates within its region of habitation, which includes much of the tundra regions of the Northern Hemisphere. This range once extended much further south than it does today.
Being a large ruminant, the Reindeer primarily feeds upon lichens, reindeer moss, grasses, sedges, and the leaves of willows and birches.
The antlers of this animal grow the second largest of any species of deer. In this, they rank as second only to the moose.
The mammal represents the only member of the deer family in which the females also grow antlers.
Pudu
Pudu Facts
- The fifth and final of our 5 Fabulous Deer Varieties is the absolutely adorable, as well as diminutive, entry known as the Pudu.
- Firstly, the gorgeous Pudu is a truly tiny type of deer. This stunning animal is, in fact, the smallest known deer on Earth.
- There are also two subspecies, both of which remain endemic to portions of the same part of the world. The deer is quite rare and highly reclusive and as a result, information about its behavior patterns is scarce.
- Due to several reasons, both species of Pudu appear on the IUCN Red List. One lists as Near Threatened, yet the other lists as Data Deficient.
- Finally, efforts to preserve both species are underway. These include captive breeding and the creation of National Parks within its native habitat.
Pudu Physical Description
The Pudu possesses a somewhat stocky frame versus other deer species but the legs grow comparatively slender. In addition, adult animals may reach a height of 17 in (44 cm) at the shoulder.
Further, in length, individuals are about 33 in (85 cm). An average weight among measured individuals is 26 lb (12 kg) and the heaviest Pudu on record weighed 30 lb (13.4 kg).
The deer displays sexual dimorphism in regards to antlers – only the males produce those. The antlers are shed on an annual basis.
The tail is short, averaging only 1.8 in (4.5 cm) in length. The color of the fur also changes with the seasons and typical colors include dark brown and reddish brown.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Cervidae
- Genus: Pudu
Pudu Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
Most notably, the Pudu lives exclusively within the rainforest parts of South America. That’s because concentrated parts of bamboo thickets and dense brush serve as good protection from predators.
Furthermore, its zone of habitation includes parts of Argentina, Chile, Columbia, Peru, and Ecuador, and population groups range in regions from sea level up to as high as 13,100 ft (4,000 m).
Its native climate is also one of great extremes. These consist of a very damp and moderate winter, and a very dry summer season.
The animal appears to live solitary lives, seeming to gather only for mating. Limited evidence indicates that the Pudu is neither nocturnal or diurnal, but is, in fact, crepuscular in nature. There is also data that the animals are highly territorial.
We hope that you have enjoyed this article on 5 Fabulous Deer Varieties. Each and every one of these remarkable species presents us with glimpses into the wonders of Nature. But they also need our protection, for some of them find themselves in danger, as many species do. Let us do all that we can to protect and preserve them and their native environments.
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