Central Asian Red Deer

The Central Asian red deer is a red-deer relative comprising several geographically isolated forms, including the Kashmir stag, Bactrian deer and Yarkand or Tarim deer. The Yarkand deer, Cervus hanglu yarkandensis, occurs in Xinjiang around the Tarim Basin and is separated from other populations by major mountain and desert barriers. Adults resemble other red deer but tend to have a paler coat and population-specific differences in body and antler form. (Mammal Diversity Database; Wikipedia, Central Asian red deer account)

Habitat varies across the species' fragmented range. Lowland populations use riverine woodland, reed beds and riparian corridors, while montane forms occupy forest, shrubland and adjoining grassland. Central Asian red deer browse on tree and shrub shoots and also consume grasses and sedges in more open country. Because published measurements differ substantially among the recognized subspecies, no single body-size or weight figure is assigned here to the entire species. (Mammal Diversity Database; CMS Central Asian Mammals Initiative)