Tree-antlered deer (SciiFii)

The tree-antlered deer (Dendrocervus maximus) is a species of giant deer, most closely related to the European fallow deer (Dama dama), that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the grasslands, shrublands, and steppes of Europe to help boost biodiversity. The tree-antlered deer is one of the largest species of deer, growing to be about 5.05 meters (16.6 feet) long, including its small tail, and weighing about 700 kilograms (1,500 lbs) or more. The tree-antlered deer is a herbivore and primarily feeds on grasses, shoots, roots, and shrubs. The tree-antlered deer has an established mutualistic interaction with the common starling (Sturnus vulgaris). Due to the scarcity of trees in the steppes in where tree-antlered deer live, these birds found in the antlers of these huge deers make a place to nest and lay their eggs in the deer's antlers. Common starlings have synchronized their breeding season with the maximum growth of the deer antlers, which are shed and regrowth every year. The tree-antlered deer let the birds nest on their antlers due to the fact that the starlings eat the parasites that disturb them, an example of mutual benefit. Tree-antlered deer are social herd-dwelling animals that live in groups of up to 15 at a time. The conservation status of the tree-antlered deer is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts and the tree-antlered deer's wide range.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii