Calamian deer

Calamian deer
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Artiodactyla
Family:Cervidae
Subfamily:Cervinae
Genus:Axis
Species: A. calamianensis
Binomial name
Axis calamianensis
(Heude, 1888)

The Calamian deer (Axis calamianensis), also known as Calamian hog deer, is an endangered species of deer found only in the Calamian Islands of Palawan province of the Philippines. It is one of three species of deer native to the Philippines, the other being the Philippine sambar and Visayan spotted deer.

It's known as the hog deer because when it is fleeing from danger it dashes through underbrush with its head down like a hog instead of jumping over barriers like other deer. These animals are crepuscular, meaning that they are active at sunrise and twilight. They rest during the warmer part of the day and then come out from the undergrowth to forage. Mainly solitary, they sometimes form small herds if left undisturbed. As with other deer species, Calamian deer are ruminants, meaning that they have four stomach chambers and chew cud. A soft, high-pitched, nasal call is their main vocalization. Their diet consist of shoots, twigs, and leaves.[2]


A typical height for males of 60–65 cm (24–26 in) has been reported. Weight can very usually from 79-110 pounds. Males have three-tined antlers.[2] Their fawns are not spotted at birth, which separates them from the best known western population of the hog deer (H. porcinus).

There are few natural predators except for birds of prey and pythons.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Oliver, W.; Widmann, P. & Lastica, E. (2008). "Axis calamianensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2008. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 8 April 2009. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of endangered.
  2. 1 2 "Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens | Deer, Calamian". Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Retrieved 2018-03-10.
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