Sambar

The sambar is a large, heavy deer with coarse dark-brown hair, paler underparts and a bushy tail that shows white when raised. Adult males develop a dense neck mane and sturdy antlers usually bearing three or four tines; the antlers may reach approximately one metre along their length. Adults measure 162–246cm and weigh 109–260kg, with males substantially larger than females. Its native range spans South and Southeast Asia, including southern China and Taiwan. (Animal Diversity Web)

Sambar inhabit thick forest, wooded hillsides, open scrub, swamp forest and agricultural margins from sea level to about 3,700m. They are mainly active at dusk and night, resting in dense cover by day, and are proficient swimmers. Leaves, berries, grasses, herbs, buds, fallen fruit and bark are eaten, particularly along forest edges and clearings. Adults are often solitary, although females may travel in small groups with dependent young. A large reproductive study reported mean gestation of approximately 259 days. (Animal Diversity Web; Leslie 2011)