Sunday, October 18, 2009

Visyan Spotted Deer of Philippine.

Visayan Spotted Deer or Cervus rusa alfredi, also known as the Philippine Spotted Deer, is a nocturnal and endangered species of deer located primarily in the rainforests of the Visayan islands of Panay and Negros though it once roamed other islands. It is one of three endemic deer species in the Philippines.

The deer is small and short-legged. It is the largest endemic species of deer among the Visayas. Adults range from 125 to 130 cm long, 70 - 80 cm in height and 25 - 80 kg in weight. The distinctive character are "A" pattern of beige spots which dot its deep brown back and sides, cream underparts and white fur on the chin and lower lip. The animal's head and neck are brown, but lighter than the body, and the eyes are ringed with paler fur. Males are larger than females and have short, thick, bumpy antlers. The diet of the deer, which consists of a variety of different types of grasses, leaves, and buds within the forest, is the primary indicator of its habitat.

This species is fully protected under Philippine law. Hunting and forest clearances as a result of logging activities and agricultural conversion are thought to be the causes of a devastating drop in the numbers of the deer. An estimated 2,500 mature individuals survived worldwide as of 1996, according to the IUCN.

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