Calamian deer

Calamian deer (Axis calamianensis )

The Calamian deer (Axis calamianensis ) is a mammal of the deer family ( Cervidae ). It is endemic to the Calamian Islands, one belonging to the Philippines, and northeast of Palawan archipelago located.

Features

The fur of the Calamian deer is brown in color, with males become darker with age. In contrast to the closely related pig it is not spotted deer. The short, bushy tail has a white underside, the relatively long limbs are darker colored than the rest of the body. The antlers, which bear only the males as with almost all deer is small and ends in three peaks. These animals can reach a body length 105-115 cm, a shoulder height of 60 to 75 centimeters and a weight from 36 to 50 kilograms.

Way of life

Calamian deer are nocturnal forest dwellers. During the day they sleep in the dense undergrowth hidden in the night, they go in search of food, where they move with his head down and try, whenever possible in dense vegetation to remain hidden. Their diet consists mainly of leaves.

Reproduction

After about 180 days of gestation, the female gives birth to usually a single young is born, twins are rare. Pups are weaned at six months and reach 8 to 12 months maturity.

Threat

Due to its small distribution area (only about 1500 km ² ) in which they are additionally drawn through deforestation, due to competition by introduced species, and by the progressive hunting affected, these deer are an endangered species. The IUCN lists them as endangered ( 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 peninsula Calauit on Busuanga, smaller stocks also insist on Busuanga and Culion.

System

Some suspect that the Calamian deer similar to the Bawean deer no own way was, but descended from feral hog deer that were brought by humans to the islands. More likely, however, that the stocks represent the remnants of a once more widespread kind who stayed behind in the Pleistocene on the isolated islands.