Classified as endangered, the Visayan Spotted Deer or the Philippine Spotted Deer is a small short-legged deer found in the forests of the west Visayan islands in the Central Philippines, and is one of the rarest mammals in the world. Easily distinguished by its distinctive pattern of buff-colored spots across its dark brown back, this deer is about 125 to 130 cm long, 70 - 80 cm tall and weighs about 25 - 80 kg. Its skull is narrow compared to its length and its face is pointed. A young/baby Visiyan deer is called a ‘fawn or ass”. While the females are called “doe, hind, or cow”, the males are called ‘buck, stag or bull.” A Visayan Spotted Deer group is a “herd”. Its normal habitat is open forest and dense thickets. It is mainly nocturnal usually wandering at dusk to feed on leaves, twigs, and grasses, and usually found in small groups of three to five.
The present estimated population of the Visayan Spotted Deer is less than 300. Hunting is a great threat to this rare and endangered species. Even though some legal protection is now afforded to it, the difficult terrain of its habitat renders this protection a difficult task. However, these are now held in captivity in the Philippines Conservation Center as well as a few zoos in Europe. The poor state of the Philippines economy is a risk factor for the survival of this species.
The Visayan Spotted Deer is also called the Prince Alfred's sambar.
The present estimated population of the Visayan Spotted Deer is less than 300. Hunting is a great threat to this rare and endangered species. Even though some legal protection is now afforded to it, the difficult terrain of its habitat renders this protection a difficult task. However, these are now held in captivity in the Philippines Conservation Center as well as a few zoos in Europe. The poor state of the Philippines economy is a risk factor for the survival of this species.
The Visayan Spotted Deer is also called the Prince Alfred's sambar.
Source: Google
Images: Google
8 comments on "The Visayan Spotted Deer of the Philippines"
They are beautiful ... the face reminds me, somewhat, of an antelope.
So many species are becoming rare ... it's sad!
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Gopal.G
What a cute deer. Thanks for this educative post. You've got a very informative blog here. Keep up the good work :)
Thank you very much Doctor for your comments. So you are an animal lover. Great indeed.
Very interesting looking animal, too bad they are scarce. I have an idea...stop hunting them!
peace,
mike
livelife365
Good idea indeed. Please do write a post highlighting the need to ban hunting of this animal. This will have some effect and save a few them at least.
thx u for ur visited my blog...ur blog so nice and informatif
Thank you Zeus for your appreciation of my post.
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