The sambar deer

The sambar deer is a large deer native to the Indian subcontinent, southern China, and Southeast Asia that is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2008.

Scientific name: Rusa unicolor

Conservation status: Vulnerable (Population decreasing) 

Kingdom: Animalia

Gestation period: 246 days 

Habits and Lifestyle

Sambars are mostly nocturnal and they rest during the day under the cover of heavy forest. They are solitary but sometimes form small groups during breeding seasons. Groups of 6 females or fewer, along with their dependent young may be seen traveling together.
 Young males form groups close to females, with males older then six years being typically solitary. Male animals are nomadic and will establish their territory primarily during the breeding season. They often gather near water, and they are good swimmers, being able to easily swim with their body fully submerged with only their head above water. Their senses are highly developed, which is of assistance in detecting predators.
When they perceive danger, they make a repetitive honking call.
 

Diet and Nutrition

Sambars are herbivores, eating various grasses, foliage, fruits, leaves, water plants, herbs, buds, berries, bamboo, stems and bark, as well as a wide range of shrubs and trees.

Sambars are polygynous, one male mating with multiple females.

 Males are very aggressive at the time of the breeding season. They guard their breeding territory and attract female deer by means of vocal displays and smell. 

There is no specific breeding season, though it most commonly takes place between from September and January. Usually just one fawn is born, after a gestation period of about 9 months. Calves at birth are very active. Their hair is brown with lighter spots, which soon disappear.
 They stay with their mothers for approximately 2 years.

Populations have declined substantially due to severe hunting, insurgency, and industrial exploitation of habitat. 

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