Sambar Deer

Sambar Deer are found in the regions of India, Nepal, southern China, and Southeast Asia. They tend to live alone in forests or in small groups, and the largest deer found in Southeast Asia with the adult males sometimes weighing up to 550 kg. They also have long, tined antlers which help them during fights with other males and enemies.

Physical Characteristics

The Sambar Deer is among the large species of deer and has a strong build. Their coat is long, thick and dark brown in color. The males have a thick mane of hair around their neck and have impressive 3 tined antlers which can grow up to 90 cm in length. They also have large eye glands which further enhance their appearance. Fully grown Sambar Deer can grow up to 170 to 270 cm in length and can weigh between 100 to 350 kg. The males tend to be larger than the females and young deer and have a darker coat which makes them easy to recognize.

Habitat and Distribution

The species of Sambar Deer is native to the countries of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Philippines, South China, Taiwan, Malaysia, and the Indonesian Islands of Sumatra and Java. They are a water-dependent species and can be found in a range of forest habitats such as dry deciduous forests, tropical dry forests, tropical seasonal forests, open scrubs, and mixed forests. In the forests they tend to occupy gentle slopes and the steeper parts of the forests’ hillsides.

Diet

 The Sambar Deer is herbivorous in nature and eats different kinds of vegetation such as grass, foliage, fruits, leaves, water plants, buds, berries, stems, barks, and shrubs. They prefer browsing more than grazing for their feed and generally are out in search of food at dusk or at night.

Reproduction and Lifespan

 There is no particular season for breeding among the Sambar Deer but most tend to occur between the months of September and January. One fawn is born after a gestation period of 9 months. At birth, the fawn weighs around 10 kg and has brown hair with light spots which are lost shortly. The males develop antlers at 1 to 2 years of age and at 3 years, the antlers grow up to 2 tines. Fawns are born weak but are able to walk and stay with their mothers for a period of 1 to 2 years after birth.

The Sambar Deer lives for 20 years in the wild and 26 years in captivity.

Behavior and Social Structure

The Sambar Deer are majorly nocturnal animals. The males tend to lead a solitary life and are nomadic whereas the females live in small herds of 3 to 4 which can go up to 16 as well. The Sambar Deer have the ability to stand on its hind legs with which they rub the tree branches with their antlers to mark their territories. When they are alarmed, they will stamp their feet and make ringing noises called ‘pooking’ and ‘belling’.

Conservation Efforts

Over the past 30 years, the population of the Sambar Deer has seen a decline by more than 50 percent across Southeast Asia, Borneo, and Sumatra, though its population in India has been stable due to them residing in the protected areas but have declined where they have lived outside the parks and sanctuaries. The main threats that the Sambar Deer face are hunting and loss of habitat. According to the IUCN’s Red list, Sambar Deer have been classified as vulnerable. A decrease in their population can impact predators such as tigers, leopards, dholes, and wolves that prey upon these deer. This disruption in the food chain often leads to human-animal conflict where the carnivores then reach human settlements to hunt. Apart from these, the Sambar Deer is also under threat due to roads, highways, and railways where they become victims of roadkill and fall into open wells in villages.

Under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the Sambar Deer is a protected species under Schedule III. The Wildlife SOS Organization aids and rescues injured Sambar Deer and works to cover the uncovered well throughout the state of Maharashtra, where the deer tends to fall in often.

Amazing Facts about Sambar Deer

• Sambar Deer is the largest deer species in India and southeast Asia, with some even weighing up to 550 kg.
• Sambar are territorial animals and like to mark their territory from other males. One way they do it is by rubbing their antlers in urine-soaked soil and then rubbing it against trunks of trees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Sambar Deer an endangered species?

According to the IUCN’s Red list, Sambar Deer have been classified as vulnerable.

Where can I see Sambar Deer in India?

The Sambar Deer can be found in the following protected areas:

• Ranthambore National Park
• Kanha National Park
• Jim Corbett National Park
• Bandhavgarh National Park
• Sariska Tiger Reserve

Where else do Sambar Deer reside apart from India?

The species of Sambar Deer is also native to the countries of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Philippines, South China, Taiwan, Malaysia, and the Indonesian Islands of Sumatra and Java.

Do all Sambar Deer have antlers?

Only the male Sambar deer has 3 tined antlers which can grow up to 90 cm in length.

What makes the Sambar Deer special?

The Sambar Deer is the largest deer found in Southeast Asia with the adult males sometimes weighing up to 550 kg.

What are the threats that Sambar Deer face in India?

The threats faced by the Sambar Deer include hunting, loss of habitat, being killed due to road and rail accidents, and falling inside open wells.