American tufted deer (SciiFii)

The American tufted deer (Elaphodus pacifica) is a species of deer that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the swamps, forests, and open woodlands across North America to help boost biodiversity. The American tufted deer is similar to a muntjac in appearance, but the longer necks and legs give it a slightly leaner appearance. The coat is coarse with short and stiff hairs, being almost black in the winter and chocolate brown in the summer. The lips, tip of the ears, and the underside of the tails are white. A tuft of horseshoe-shaped hair is present on the forehead and upper neck, being brown to black, and can be up to 17 centimetres (6.7 inches) long. Perhaps the most striking feature of this deer is the fang-like canines in the males of the species. These can grow up to 2.6 cm (1.0 inches) long, or longer in rare cases. The American tufted deer is a small deer, but still larger than most muntjac species. It stands at 50–70 centimetres (20–28 inches) at the shoulder, and the weight varies from 17 to 30 kilograms (37 to 66 lb). The tail is short at around 10 cm (3.9 in). The antler is only present in males and is extremely short, almost hidden by its long tuft of hair. The American tufted deer is mainly solitary or found in pairs. It is crepuscular and travels in fixed routes about its territory, which is vigorously defended by the males. It is a timid animal and prefer places with good cover, where it is well camouflaged. It can be easily disturbed and, when alarmed, it will let out a bark before fleeing, moving in cat-like jumps. The mating season occurs between August and October, during which the loud barks males make could be easily heard. The gestation period lasts about 6 months and a litter of 1–2 is born in late Spring. The young becomes sexually mature at the age of 1–2 years, and could live up to 10–12 years in the wild. The conservation status of the American tufted deer is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the American tufted deer's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii