Sri Lanka Sambhur, sambur (Cervus Unicolour Unicolour)

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Sinhalese: Gona

Tamil: Marrei or Komboo-marrei (stags)

Description: This is the largest deer in the island, the adult male averaging about 137 cm at the shoulder; the female being considerably smaller. They have a coarse, shaggy coat, and only the stags have antlers. These grow to an average length of about 68 cm. and are usually shed once the rutting period has passed. The new antlers are covered with a very sensitive skin called “velvet” , which dies and peels off once the antlers are fully formed.

Distribution: Found throughout the island wherever there are thick forests and jungles.

Habits: Sambhur are solitary animals, but occasionally very small groups of females and young are seen. They are very much an animal of heavy forests and feed on leaves, grasses and some fruits. They appear to be largely nocturnal, but where they enjoy full protection, they can be seen lying in the shade of some trees, or feeding in the open during the day. The stags love to wallow in water-holes, covering themselves in mud, possibly as protection against biting insects which seem to cause them great discomfort. They are also territorial, possibly moving away during the rutting period, and both sexes have excellent sight, hearing and smell. In captivity they have been known to live for about 10 years.

Breeding: The gestation period is about 8 months and normally only one fawn is born.

Comments

Sumedha said…
Useful article. Thank you for sharing.
April 23, 2014 at 11:27 PM
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