Père david's deer
A species of Elaphurus, Also known as Elaphure Scientific name : Elaphurus davidianus Genus : Elaphurus
Père david's deer, A species of Elaphurus
Also known as:
Elaphure
Scientific name: Elaphurus davidianus
Genus: Elaphurus
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Chabe01 , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The David deer or Milu (Elaphurus davidianus) is a mammal from the deer family (Cervidae). Originally native to eastern Asia, it has been extinct in the wild for several hundred years and was only able to survive by keeping it in an imperial park in Beijing and later in European game reserves.
General Info
Lifespan
14-18 years
Diet
Père david's deer predominantly feed on aquatic plants, including Potamogeton pectinatus and Vallisneria spiralis, defining them as vegetarians. Their dietary habits are marked by selective browsing, often resulting in mono-species diet during certain seasons.
Appearance
Père david's deer is a large deer with a sleek body covered in golden brown fur, which becomes lighter on the belly. It features exclusive elongated, three-pronged antlers and a long tail with a distinctive white underside. Its large hooves are split in a way facilitating movement through marshy areas. There are no major visual differences between genders or ages, other than mature males having larger antlers.
Behavior
Père david's deer mainly exhibits diurnal behavior with crepuscular tendencies, foraging for vegetation at dawn and dusk. As a solitary animal, interpersonal interactions are largely confined to mating periods, showcasing negligible social dynamics. Its non-aggressive, non-territorial demeanor further distinguishes its behaviour. Known for their ability to swim, they employ this survival behavior effectively in marshy habitats.
Photo By Chabe01 , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original