Sambar Deer

About Sambar Deer:

• It is a large deer native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
• Scientific Name: Rusa unicolor 
• In Nepal it is referred to as the Jarao and in China as the Four-eyed deer.
• Habitat: Sambar Deer are water-dependent, so they are never found far from water, but otherwise can be found in a broad range of forest habitats: dry deciduous forest, rainforest and mixed forests.
• The sambar lives in forests, alone or in small groups.
• Features:
  • A large, relatively long-tailed deer, it stands 1.2–1.4 m (47–55 inches) at the shoulder. 
  • It is the largest oriental deer, with some adult males reaching 550 kg in weight.
  • The coat forms a ruff around its neck and is an unspotted, dark brown in colour.
  • The male sambar bears long, rugged antlers with three points, or tines. 
  • They are quite elusive and are most active at dusk and at night. 
• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

Q1: What is dry deciduous forest ?

A dry deciduous forest is a type of forest ecosystem characterized by specific environmental conditions and a particular composition of plant and animal species. These forests are found in regions with distinct dry and wet seasons, where the trees shed their leaves during the dry season to conserve water. These are typically found in areas with a tropical or subtropical climate.

Source: Three poachers arrested for killing sambar deer in Arunachal Pradesh