Calamian deer
| Calamian deer | ||||||||||||
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Calamian deer ( Axis calamianensis ) |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Axis calamianensis | ||||||||||||
| ( Heude , 1888) |
The calamian deer ( Axis calamianensis ) is a species of mammal from the deer family (Cervidae). It is endemic to the Calamian Islands , an archipelago belonging to the Philippines and northeast of Palawan .
features
The fur of the Calamian deer is brown in color, with males becoming darker with age. Unlike the closely related pig deer , it is not spotted. The short, bushy tail has a white underside, the relatively long limbs are darker in color than the rest of the body. The antlers, which, like almost all deer, are only worn by the males, are small and each end in three points. These animals reach a head trunk length of 105 to 115 centimeters, a shoulder height of 60 to 75 centimeters and a weight of 36 to 50 kilograms.
Way of life
Calamian deer are nocturnal forest dwellers. During the day they sleep hidden in the thick undergrowth, at night they go in search of food, moving with their heads bowed and trying to stay hidden in dense vegetation whenever possible. Their diet consists mainly of leaves.
Reproduction
After a gestation period of around 180 days, the female usually gives birth to a single young, twins are rare. Young animals are weaned at six months and reach sexual maturity at 8 to 12 months.
threat
Due to their small distribution area (only around 1500 km²), in which they are also affected by forest clearing, competition from introduced species and progressive hunting, these deer are endangered species. The IUCN lists them as endangered , the total population is estimated at 900 animals. The largest population is found in the wildlife reserve Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary on the Calauit Peninsula on Busuanga , smaller populations also exist on Busuanga and Culion .
Systematics
It is sometimes assumed that the Calamian deer, similar to the Bawean deer, is not a species of its own, but rather descends from feral pig deer that were brought to the islands by humans. More likely, however, the populations represent the remains of a once more common species that remained on the isolated islands during the Pleistocene .
literature
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 volumes. 6th edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
Web links
- Photos, distribution map and further information
- Axis calamianensis in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2006. Posted by: Deer Specialist Group, 1996. Accessed on 11/30/2006.