Sambar | Far Cry Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia A Sambar is an animal that lives in Kyrat in Far Cry 4 . Biology The Sambar is a herbivore, with a diet consisting of a variety of plants and is never found far away from a source of fresh water. The Sambar deer can easily swim with its body fully submerged and only its head above water (Though in game they are found in mountain regions as well). While Sambar may seem timid at a distance, and will often avoid confrontation, they have been known to act aggressively during mating season. During fights, stags have been known to lock antlers and rut, but have also been known to rise on their hind legs and crash downwards into their opponents. Female Sambar deer keep in small groups that are often dominated by a single female, similar to an elephant matriarch, with larger groups near large watering holes. Young males group together close to females, however males over six years typically become solitary. Sambar are fairly shy and are most often, active at twilight or at night (Not shown in game). Sambar are one of the few type of deer that attacks predators.

Female Sambar are also incredibly protective of young and will stomp and warn off attackers. Predators The Sambar have many predators in the Kyrat they include leopards , tigers and wolves . Due to this, and overhunting by man, Sambars have a high mortality rate which mean high reproduction is necessary. Because the Sambar is a key source of food and medical value across Asia, combined with habitat loss and deforestation, there has been a 50% decline over the past couple of years. Habitat The Sambar is flexible in its habitat requirements. It prefers forested landscapes, but it is commonly found near water, where it can forage for water plants. Sambar Facts | Large Deer Species Nathan 5 years ago No Comments Photo by Wikigringo (Wikimedia) It is time to celebrate the end of the week and the beginning of the weekend, unless you are on shift work, in which case, who knows when you are off next. Regardless whether or not you are about to start your next set of shifts or if you are winding down for a much needed 2 days off, I can guarantee you will be entertained by the Sambar.

This large deer species, native to southern and southeast Asia, is a spectacular animal that has caused much confusion throughout their life. How could a deer confuse people? Let’s find out! So Confused! The Sambar has messed with the most carefully planned taxonomic systems for years. The poor, frustrated biologists have been trying to get a handle on the animal species that exist on our planet, however, when you have creatures such as the Sambar……it makes it difficult. The size and appearance of this deer species greatly varies across their distribution range. This variance has lead to over 40 different scientific synonyms for the Sambar. I just hope the biologists created their taxonomic descriptions in pencil. Juvenile Sambar - Photo by Paul and Jill (Wikimedia) Is This Spot Normal? In general, the Sambar is a large deer, with a height somewhere between 102 – 160 cm (40 – 63″) and the capability of reaching a weight of 546 kg (1200 lbs). To make this animal even more intimidating are the 110 cm (43″) long antlers sitting on top of their head.

This is probably not an animal you would want chasing after you. On the other side of their body, the Sambar is known to have a relatively long tail…for a deer, which is black with a white underside. As well, you can always tell an adult male (or a pregnant/nursing female) by the hairless, bright red spot located on their neck. Even more bizarre is the fact that this spot is known to produce a white liquid. What does this do? I have no idea, but I am guessing it plays a role in scent marking or in the courtship process (or both). Do you have any suggestions about what this spot does for the Sambar? Introduced Species Although, they are native to southern and southeast Asia, this deer has also been introduced into Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America (in Florida). The wild Sambar population is considered to be “Vulnerable”, however, in these introduced areas, hunting is permitted to ensure their population doesn’t damage the native ecosystem. Have you ever witnessed this beautiful deer species? Let us know in the comments!

Sambar Deer Australia Big Game Hunter Australia (Cervus unicolor) Description If Australia's deer species were listed alphabetically, sambar would be last on the list. But as sambar are unquestionably the most important of our six free-roaming members of the deer family, they must be ranked first. Why are they the most important? Well, of all Australia's deer, sambar have clearly demonstrated that they can survive and prosper in the Australian environment without dependence on improved pasture or human interference of any kind. They appear to be as suited to the Australian environment as any native species and, because of their social structure and behaviour, the effect of sambar on the environment is not as noticeable as kangaroos for example. They are still increasing their range and the sambar that now inhabit eastern Victoria and southern New South Wales comprise the most important herd in the world outside of their native countries where the available habitat is diminishing daily outside of protected areas and where their IUCN status is listed as Vulnerable. Sambar are the largest of Australia's wild deer and the third largest of all deer species behind moose and wapiti.

They are extremely wary and shy and have a well-earned reputation as one of the hardest to hunt of all the world's game animals. It is quite normal for the majority of the human population to be unaware of the existence of sambar populations in our forested areas. They are strong and tough animals with a thick hide and coarse hair of a uniform brown colour on the body. This brown colour fades to a light buff colour under the chin, on the inner legs and along the under-body. The rump is usually ginger. The ears are large and round and the inner ear is pale with tufts of longer hair at the base. Sambar are expert at standing completely motionless and it is only an occasional movement of their prominent bat-like ears which sometimes betrays them to an experienced eye. The colour of individual deer may vary between a light brown, almost grey, to nearly black. However, the colour of an individual will also vary at different times of the year and in different weather and light conditions. An old hunter's tale that sambar grow darker with age has no basis in fact. Stags can stand up to 130cm at the shoulder (about the height of a Jersey cow) and weigh over 300kg.

Hindsare smaller and can grow to about 115cm and weigh in the vicinity of 230kg. Although they are plainer than most other deer species there is nothing to match the magnificent presence of a sambar stag or the beauty of a sambar hind. Calves are born after a gestation period which appears to be more variable than in other species but averages about 262 days (Harrison 2010).They are not spotted at birth but usually have a pronounced dark (dorsal) stripe down the spine. A sambar antler is typically three tined and the outer top tine is usually the continuation of the main beam while the inner top tine is somewhat shorter. This is not always the case and there are many instances of stags with 'shanghai' tops where the inner tine matches or exceeds the length of the outer tine. If there is any rule about sambar antlers, it is that, though similar, they are almost never identical. Sambar have a hollow below the eye in which the preorbital gland is situated. This gland is everted when the deer is aroused.

The sight of an aggressive sambar stag or hind with everted glands, rolling eyes, grinding teeth and hissing fiercely is certainly one of the most frightening sights you could ever wish to see. Sambar stags, and to a lesser extent hinds, have a ruff or mane about the neck just behind the head, and this can be erected when the animal is aroused. They have a metatarsal gland on the outside of each of their hind legs and their hooves are small and neat in comparison to the animal's size. History Sambar were obtained mainly from Sri Lanka with a smaller number coming from Sumatra. They were first released in the early 1860s at Mount Sugarloaf in what is now the Kinglake National Park, and at Harewood, near Tooradin, on the edge of the then Koo Wee Rup swamp. Later releases were at Ercildoune, between Ballarat and Mount Cole and at Wilsons Promontory and French Island in Westernport Bay. Another release was made on the Cobourg Peninsula in the Northern Territory. Although the South Gippsland deer prospered for a time, most eventually disappeared probably because of reduced habitat as land was cleared for farming.

The Tooradin deer gradually moved through the Koo Wee Rup swamp, which was also being drained and cleared, and eventually began to colonise the West Gippsland ranges from Pakenham through to Noojee. In 1939 wildfire destroyed much of the forest in eastern Victoria, and the regeneration which followed provided a wonderful source of food for the expanding sambar population. The timing coincided with the Second World War, which meant that hunting pressure was reduced dramatically, not that it was ever great, and the sambar built up their numbers in nearly ideal conditions. But a good population of sambar would be considered to be low numbers for other deer species. The social structure of the sambar population does not allow for high population densities so, as numbers increase, the deer colonise new country or slow down their breeding activity. After the war, recreational hunting slowly gained in popularity and the deer were regularly hunted in the Bunyip, Tarago, Latrobe and Yarra watersheds. At the same time, young deer, which had been forced out by social pressures, were infiltrating the river systems to the north and east.

The deer from the Mount Sugarloaf release followed a similar pattern and the two groups eventually merged. From their original release points, the sambar dispersed into almost all of the forested country in eastern Victoria, in a slowly moving 'wave' pattern. At the front of the wave were young animals which roam widely and establish themselves in the best of the available habitat. These animals mature into very large deer because there is little competition for food. Numbers gradually increase until a peak population is reached, when there is a sharp decline brought about by a reducing food supply and a social structure in which the older females force the younger ones to leave and find their own home ranges. When there are comparatively large numbers of deer, body size is markedly smaller and the reproductive rate is less. Behind the wave, the sambar gradually rebuild their numbers at a rate dependent on the quality of the habitat. Natural events such as floods and wildfire, and human activities like forestry and fuel reduction burning, play their part in producing good or bad habitat for wildlife and the sambar respond to these changing conditions in the same way as native mammals.

Breeding and Reproduction A healthy sambar hind is sexually mature at twelve to sixteen months and can be expected to produce her first calf at about two years of age. She will then produce a calf annually, on a more or less regular basis, until her best breeding years are over when calving may become irregular. Twins are very rare. Sambar calves are 'hiders' and remain hidden under bushes or in thick cover for about the first four to six weeks of their existence. The hind does not necessarily remain in close proximity but visits regularly to feed the calf. As the calves become older, they are sometimes left in company of a yearling or another hind while the mother is feeding. In normal circumstances, the father of the calf will be the dominant stag in her home range. Hinds spend most of their lives within a home range which encompasses sufficient diversity of habitat to provide for nutrition in all seasons, and cover to produce and rear her off-spring. Several hinds may share the same home range but, when too many are present, excess hinds, which are usually the younger animals, will be driven away.

Hinds have a similar pecking order to stags and there will always be one hind who is the acknowledged leader whenever they come together in a group which is usually when they congregate at a common food source. From the time that they leave the hind at about two years of age, young stags are very mobile and wander freely. They enter a 'pecking order' and their rank is based on age, size and fighting ability. Mature dominant stags have a home range that normally takes in all, or part, of the home ranges of several hinds. They assert their dominance over younger and lesser stags by means of 'body language' displays, scent marking, and visual display on rub trees. Dominant stags do not waste energy fighting for possession of a hind in season-all their fighting has been done by the time they become dominant, either because they have beaten an old stag in decline, or when a vacancy is caused by the death of the previous dominant stag. For the six or seven months that they are in hard antler and prime breeding condition, the stags travel around their home range, visiting hinds and marking out their breeding territories with strategically placed markers such as rub trees, scrapes, preaching trees and wallows.

Scent plays a major part in all of these and, even when rubbing and gouging the bark off a tree, the stag always deposits scent from the pre-orbital glands below his eyes on the freshly rubbed bark. A breeding or mating territory may be established anywhere that hinds 'in oestrus' are living. Preaching trees vary in size from large shrubs and saplings to large trees, but they all have an overhanging branch or trunk on which the stag can leave his scent by rubbing the waxy substance in his pre-orbital glands onto the bark. He achieves this by rearing up on his hind legs, or 'preaching', after having scraped the ground bare beneath the limb and urinating there. When the dominant stag has cast his antlers and is 'in velvet', the next stag in the hierarchy will serve any hinds which may come in season. This may even be a two or three year old stag if he is the only one in hard antler at the time. Normally, though, a stag will not get the opportunity to breed until he is at least seven years old.

It is unusual for a dominant stag to hold his position for more than two or three years at most before he is challenged by a younger rival, The practice of shooting ‘anything with antlers’ reduces the amount of young stags available to produce quality mature stags. Stags and to a lesser extent hinds begin their decline at about ten to twelve years of age with the hinds producing calves less regularly, depending on food supply and tooth wear, and the stags being displaced by younger, stronger animals. State Forest and other Unoccupied Crown Land Generally, hunting for pest animals and game species (including game deer) is permitted in all State forests and unoccupied Crown land (ie. Crown land that is not leased or licensed). However, some restrictions may apply. Hunters are advised to consult the local DSE Office for specific information about any restrictions that apply to the area of State forest or unoccupied Crown land that they wish to hunt. Remember, many people use State forests for recreation and for their livelihood. Never shoot on or across public roads or tracks and never shoot towards populated areas, including camping and picnic areas and walking tracks.

Provided hunting is permitted in an area, pest animals may be hunted at any time and hunting for game species is allowed only during the open season for that species. Make sure that you know when the open seasons are. State Game Reserves Six State Game Reserves are open to Hog Deer hunting during the open season. These are: Lake Coleman; Dowd Morass; Jack Smith Lake; Ewing Morass; Clydebank Morass; Heart Morass State Game Reserve. Hunting for Sambar, Fallow or Red Deer is not permitted in State Game Reserves. Pest animals or other non-game species such as sparrows or starlings may not be hunted on State Game Reserves at any time, unless specific authorisation is provided by the Department. State Game Reserves Maps are available to Hog Deer hunters, which include details of how to get there, what facilities are available, what game species may be hunted and other information relevant to hunting and camping. Sanctuaries Game species (including game deer) may not be hunted at any time in areas declared to be Sanctuaries. However, pest animals may be hunted.

Major Victorian sanctuaries are: Mount Cole Sanctuary (South West Region, DSE), Gunbower Island Sanctuary, Kow Swamp and Reedy Lakes near Kerang (North West Region, DSE). The location of other sanctuaries should be checked with the local DSE Office. Melbourne Water Catchment Areas A number of catchments and reservoirs in the outer metropolitan and central highlands area are controlled by Melbourne Water and are part of the metropolitan water supply system. Public entry to these areas is prohibited to ensure a high-quality water supply. Forest Parks, Flora and Fauna Reserves and Nature Conservation Reserves Carrying and using firearms in these areas for deer hunting is prohibited. National Parks, Coastal Parks and Wilderness Parks Most Wilderness, National, State and Coastal Parks are closed to deer hunting at all times. However, you are allowed to hunt in the parks listed below, subject to varying conditions. Hunters must not possess a firearm in, or transport a firearm through a park (except in some instances) when hunting is prohibited. Also, where hunting is allowed, firearms must only be those calibres or gauges permitted for the species available for hunting in that park.

Alpine National Park (North East, Gippsland Regions, DSE). In certain sections of the park, Sambar Deer may be hunted by stalking only from 15 February to 15 December. The use of dogs to hunt Sambar Deer is not permitted in this park. Avon Wilderness Park (Gippsland Region, DSE). In certain sections of the park, Sambar Deer may be hunted by stalking only from 15 February to 15 December. The use of dogs to hunt Sambar Deer is not permitted in this park. Baw Baw National Park (Gippsland Region, DSE).Sambar Deer may be hunted by stalking only in the area east of Thomson Valley Road from 1 May to 25 October each year. The use of dogs to hunt Sambar Deer is not permitted in this park. Lake Eildon National Park (North East Region, DSE). In certain sections in the south-east of the park, Sambar Deer may be hunted by stalking only from the first Saturday after Easter until 30 November. The use of dogs to hunt deer is not permitted in this park.

Check with the Lake Eildon National Park Rangers office on (03) 5772 2038 (03) 5772 2038 for details. Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park (Gippsland Region, DSE). In certain sections, Hog Deer may be hunted in season. Hog Deer must not be hunted with the use of dogs. Check with the Parks Victoria Sale office on (03) 5144 3048 (03) 5144 3048 for further details. Mitchell River National Park (Gippsland Region, DSE).Sambar Deer hunting by stalking is permitted east of the Mitchell River from 15 February to 15 December. The use of dogs to hunt deer is not permitted in this park. Pest animals and other species must not be hunted in this park. A number of areas were recently added to the Mitchell River National Park. However, at the time of writing, hunting was not permitted in these areas.

Check with the Parks Victoria Bairnsdale office on (03) 5152 0400 (03) 5152 0400 for further details. Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Park (Gippsland Region, DSE). Hunting for Hog Deer is permitted in certain sections in season. Check with the Yarram DSE Office for details of which areas are open to hunting (03) 5183 9100 (03) 5183 9100 . Alpine Resorts All alpine resorts are closed to hunting at all times. However, you are allowed to transport a dog through an alpine resort in a vehicle. You are also allowed to transport firearms through a resort providing the firearm is in a safe and locked compartment of the vehicle. Leased Crown Land: Game species (including game deer) in season and pest animals may be hunted on leased land, provided hunters have obtained the permission of the lessee to enter the area. Remember, many people use leased land for recreation or for their livelihood.

Never shoot on or across an area of leased land without the permission of the lessee and never shoot across public roads or tracks or towards populated areas, including camping and picnic areas and walking tracks. If you are in doubt about the status of a particular area, please contact your local DSE Office. Licensed Crown Land Generally, hunting for game species including game deer (during their respective open seasons) and pest animals is permitted on licensed Crown land. However, some exceptions may apply. If an area is licensed under the Land Act 1958, hunters must obtain the permission of the licensee before carrying or using firearms on that area. This generally includes areas such as unused roads and water frontages, which may be licensed for grazing or other purposes. If you are in doubt about the status of a particular area, or require any further information, please contact your local DSE Office. Private Land Game species (including game deer) in season and pest animals may be hunted on private land provided hunters have obtained the permission of the land owner/manager. You must not shoot on or across public roads or tracks at any time.

Sambar, Chital, Rusa, Red, Hog and Fallow Deer stalking in Victoria Sambar Deer by stalking There is a year-long open season for hunting Sambar Deer by stalking. Being an Asiatic species, Sambar Deer are capable of breeding at any time of the year. Periods of vulnerability, therefore, are not well defined, and a closed season is not needed to protect the population during a time of susceptibility to over-hunting. The twelve-month season for stalking of Sambar Deer appears not to have any negative impacts on the success of the species, as anecdotal evidence suggests that the Sambar Deer population continues to extend its range, density appears to be increasing and harvest levels remain high. Sambar-State Animal Of Orissa Home > Symbols Of India > Orissa Sambar Animal Orissa Sambar Animal The Sambar or also called as Sambhur, Sambur or Rusa unicolor is a big size deer native to Southeast Asia and Indian subcontinent. It is also called as the state animal of Orissa state, India. The size and appearance of Sambar animal vary widely throughout their range that has greatly led to considerable taxonomic big confusion in past-time.

Characteristics It is a scientific fact that they have normal height of about 102-160 cm at their shoulder and could weigh about 546 kilograms. However, body and head length varies just from 2.7 metre along with 22-35 centimetre tail. It is a fact that deer belonging to west subspecies usually tend to be big in size as comparison to east. Moreover, female deer are usually smaller than male deer. Only elkcan and moose attain big sizes among all kind of living cervid-species. The antlers are normally rugged, large and typically rusine. Moreover, brow tines are usually simple and thus beam at the tip. They have total three tines. Size of antlers is normally 110 centimetres. Distribution and Habitat The state animal of Orissa state, Sambar or Sambhur inhabits mostly in southern parts of Asia, Himalayan Mountains, southern China, Indochina, Thailand, Myanmar, Taiwan, Indonesia, Sumatra and Bomeo. However, Sambar animal are found in great habitats ranging just from tropical woods or tropical dry woods as well as seasonal moist forests, tropical rainforests, subtropical mixed woods etc.

it is a fact that Sambar is seldom live far from rivers or streams or water. Being hardy animals, they live in areas, ranging from mean sea level of 3,500 m in locations including Taiwan, Himalayan Mountains and Myanmar. Ecology and Behaviour Sambar deer are crepuscular or nocturnal. however, the male sambar live alone for most of the time while female Sambar live in tiny herds of total sixteen individuals . In few locations, average herd only consist 3 to 4 individuals, usually consisting of one adult female deer, or perhaps an n immature female Sambar deer. However, it is an abnormal pattern for Sambar deer that mostly live in large groups. The deer sometime congregate close to water and they are also very good swimmers. Sambar deer, like all other deer are normally very quiet, indeed adult deer could scream, high pitched animal sounds when find danger. Photo Gallery Sambar Deer - Deer Facts and Information Sambar Deer Sambar Deer – Rusa unicolor The Sambar Deer is often confused with the Elk due to the bulky body and long, thin legs. They also have very long antlers that can develop quite a few points on them.

They can be more than 40 inches when you look at the full spread of them. Full grown males can be about 1,200 pounds with the females weighing in at about 220 pounds. They have a very dark brown coat with various markings along the sides of them. Sambar Deer Distribution The woodlands around Asia is where the Sambar Deer is located. They are often found in the higher elevations but they do need to stay within distance of water sources. The Himalayan Mountains are where the largest numbers of these deer are found. Their paths often cross with the Musk Deer in this area. New Zealand and Australia are also home to them but in much smaller numbers. Many of the Sambar Deer have been relocated successfully into various National Parks. Some of them are even in areas of Florida today. This process is one that was done to help ensure a future for them. In captivity these animals can live 26 years of age. Relocation often occurs with the young though as it can prove to be too stressful for the adults. Sambar Deer Behavior The Sambar Deer form small herds of no more than six members. Generally it will be one male and several females.

However, you will find all female herds as well as many bachelor herds of young males. They have amazing senses of both hearing and smell. When they feel that their herd is in danger they will give of a wild sound – one that is very similar to a car theft device going off. Sambar Deer Feeding Due to the very large size of it, the Sambar Deer will eat lots of food every single day. The diet consists of grass and different herds found around their environment. They are very opportunistic so they will make the most out of any food source they happen to come into contact with. During certain periods of the year they will delight in being able to consume different types of fruits that grow as well. Berries and water plants seem to be part of their diet too. Sambar Deer Reproduction For the Sambar Deer mating can really occur any time of the year as long as their basic needs are being met. However, the majority of the time they will be involved in it from late September through early January. The males are very defensive of territory during this period of time. They will also make loud calling sounds to attract females.

The goal of the male is to develop a harem of about 8 females that he will be able to successfully mate with. Before he earns that right though he will have to prove he is stronger than other males wishing to do the same thing. After success mating, the wait is about 9 months for the young to be born. It is very unusual for more than one to be born at a time. What is interesting is that their unique spots aren’t present at birth like for so many other deer species. Instead, they gradually start to appear as the animal matures. They will remain with their mothers for about two years before they go on their own. They have an average life span in the wild of 20 years. In captivity though that can be up to 26 years. This is because they often are victims of various types of predators when they live in the wild. As they get older they are slower and that makes it easier for prey to take them down.

(Photo taken by Pratheepps) sambar - Memidex dictionary/thesaurus sambar a deer of southern Asia with antlers that have 3 tines Class: from Hindi, from Sanskrit śambarra, of obscure origin | from Tamil (Source: Collins Dictionary) [more] | Cervus unicolor [species] widely distributed deer, family Cervidae, found from India and Nepal eastward through Southeast Asia. The sambar live in forests, alone or in small ... Columbia Encyclopedia: wapiti | Olympic elk | Rocky Mountain elk | Roosevelt elk | dwarf elk | red deer | tule elk large North American deer, "Cervus canadensis", closely related to the Old World red deer. It's commonly called elk in America although the name "elk" ...

(24 of 323 words, pronunciation) | sambur | sambhar | Cervus unicolor [species, sense-specific] a southern Asian deerwith three-tined antlers | a southern Indian dish consisting of lentils and vegetables cooked with tamarind and other spices (21 of 259 words, 2 definitions, 1 usage example, pronunciations) Sambar [disambiguation] may refer to: Sambar (deer), a kind of deer | Sambar (dish), a lentil-based dish common in India and Sri Lanka | Sambhar, Rajasthan, a city and a municipality in Rajasthan, India Sambhar Salt Lake, a lake in Rajasthan | Sambar Server, an application ... (41 of 89 words, 5 definitions) Sambar deer videos, photos and facts - Rusa unicolor | ARKive Top Sambar deer biology The sambar deer is a herbivore , with a diet consisting of a variety of plants. It grazes or browses on a range of plant species depending on forage availability at the time, and this allows it to have great habitat flexibility (1) (3) .

In India alone, the sambar deer has been reported to eat between 130 and 180 different plant species (1) . This deer regularly uses mineral licks, which provide essential mineral nutrients, and it is never found far away from a source of fresh water. The sambar deer can easily swim with its body fully submerged and only its head above water (3) . The sambar deer reproduces year-round, but breeding usually peaks seasonally. When in breeding condition, the male has a strong odour and a swollen neck. The male often sprays his body with urine and, standing erect on his hind legs, rubs his odour on trees. Due to regular wallowing in wet spots, the male is usually covered with mud, accentuating his dark fur, and he often acts aggressively during this time (3) (4) . During fights, stags may lock antlers, but also rise on their hind legs and crash downwards into their opponent (4) . The female sambar deer reaches sexual maturity at around 18 to 24 months old, and usually gives birth to a single calf after a gestation period of about 8 months (3) .

Female sambar deer usually occur in small groups, which are often dominated by a single female. Young males group together close to females, while males over six years of age are typically solitary. Group size is normally at its largest near water holes (3) . The sambar deer is fairly shy and is mainly active at twilight or at night (3) . This species is very alert and silent, and will freeze instantly if disturbed. The sambar deer is one of the few deer that attacks sizeable predators, and it prefers to hold confrontations in shallow water (4) . When confronting predators, the sambar deer produces a loud alarm bark and the hair on its neck erects. A female sambar deer is also incredibly protective of her young and, if confronted, will stomp and warn off attackers (3) . Sambar deer have a sex ratio greatly favouring females, due to the high mortality of males. This is mainly due to predation by animals such as the leopard, tiger and wolf (4) . Predation by tigers (Panthera tigris) is a major cause of sambar deer mortality, with the sambar deer making up a large proportion of tiger prey in many areas (1) .

Top Sambar deer range The sambar deer is the most widespread deer in Asia, with the various subspecies being found in the southern and south-eastern parts of the continent (3) . There are populations in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and throughout southern China, as well as on the main islands of the Greater Sundas, and throughout the mainland including Thailand and Cambodia (1) . The sambar deer has also been widely introduced outside its native range, in places such as South Africa and Australia (1) (3) . Top Sambar deer threats There has been a 50 percent decline in many sambar deer populations in recent years. The main threat to this species is overexploitation for its antlers and meat. The antlers of the adult male are used in traditional medicine, making the male sambar deer an even greater target for hunters. In addition, the antlers are widely displayed as trophies, and many are sold to tourists as souvenirs. Hunting of the sambar deer is also widespread because sambar deer meat is one of the most sought-after wild meats throughout Southeast Asia. Some hunting is for local consumption, but most meat is sold commercially (1) .

Another contributing factor to the decline in sambar deer populations is habitat loss, with deforestation and conversion to agriculture resulting in the loss and fragmentation of the forested habitat that this species requires (1) (3) . Top Sambar deer conservation There are many conservation challenges for the sambar deer, as its populations are so widely dispersed and it is affected by many local customs, national laws and sometimes civil unrest (3) . However, there are many actions taking place to try and help this species. Even outside hunting regions, legislation has been imposed to protect the sambar deer from hunting, especially in Taiwan and protected areas of India, although this is not always easy to enforce. In places, remaining forest has also been converted to nature reserves, such as the Cat Tien National Park in Vietnam, meaning there is a greater proportion of protected habitat available for the sambar deer. In some protected areas, the human communities that formerly lived there have resettled, therefore removing a source of hunting and grazing competition from domestic livestock (1) . Captive breeding of the sambar deer is also being developed (1) , and partnerships with local communities are being established to try and educate local people about this species and draw attention to its conservation (3) .

Although the sambar deer occurs in many protected areas throughout its range, poaching and local declines are still occurring. Unless the sambar deer is given effective protection from hunting, there are fears that it will be lost from much of its historical range in the near future (1) . Sambar deer Facts Sambar deer Facts Sambar deer Facts Sambar deer is one of the largest members of deer family. There are 7 subspecies of sambar deer that originate from southern and southeastern parts of Asia (Sri Lanka, Nepal, China, Cambodia and Thailand). They can be found all over Australia, New Zealand and North America today. Sambar deer inhabit tropical rainforests, evergreen and mixed forests. They live in habitats that provide enough water. Sambar deer are often on a target of hunters because of their beautiful antlers and meat. Also, different parts of their body are used in traditional Asian medicine. Habitat loss (as a result of deforestation) additionally decreases number of sambar deer in the wild. These animals are listed as vulnerable (may become endangered in the near future).

Interesting Sambar deer Facts: Sambar deer can reach 40 to 63 inches of height at the shoulder, 5.3 to 8.9 inches of length and 220 to 1200 pounds of weight. Females are much smaller than males. Body of sambar deer is covered with yellowish brown or dark brown coat. Spots and markings can be seen on the lateral sides of the body. Males are darker and develop manes on the neck. Sambar deer have long black tails. Males have 40 inches long antlers that are divided in three branches. Sambar deer shed their antlers each year. Sambar deer have excellent senses of hearing and smell which are used mainly for detection of predators. Sambar deer are either crepuscular (active at dusk and dawn) or nocturnal (active during the night) animals. Diet of sambar deer includes different types of leaves, bamboo shoots, grass and fruit. Some types of sambar deer consume between 130 and 180 different plant species. Main predators of sambar deer are leopards, tigers, wolves, dholes and crocodiles.

Males use their antlers, while females use their feet to defend against predators. Sambar deer are excellent swimmers. Sambar deer are either solitary or live in groups composed of less than 10 members. Groups are usually composed of animals of one gender. Sambar deer produce barking calls in the case of danger. Males also vocalize loudly to attract females during the mating season. Males occupy territory of around 1500 hectares, while females live on a territory of 300 hectares. They use urine and scent to mark their territories. Sambar deer can mate throughout the whole year, but they prefer period from September to January. Males release smelly substance to attract females. They fight with each other before they get opportunity to mate. One male often mates with more than 6 females. Pregnancy lasts 8 to 9 months and ends with one baby (rarely two). Baby is born without spots and marks on the body. They appear later in life. Young animal stays with its mother 2 years. Sambar deer can survive 20 years in the wild and up to 26 years in captivity. Related Links:

Question: What kind of animal; is a 'sambar'?
Answer: Deer