Thorold's Deer

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

Thorold's deer has the scientific name Cervus albirostris. It is also known as the white-lipped deer, for the white patches around its muzzle. It is distantly related to the Central Asian Red Deer, the Wapiti, and the Sika Deer.

Thorold's deer live in the high and cold grasslands of the Tibetan Plateau, in Eastern Tibet and Qinghai Province in China. This deer fills an ecological niche similar to the Shou (Cervus affinis affinis) (a subspecies of the Central Asian Red Deer). The species was first reported by Nikolai Przhevalsky in 1883, and the first specimens were procured by W.G. Thorold, after whom the species is named.

It is one of the largest deer species, measuring up to 2 meters (6 feet) long and weighing up to 230 kg (500 lb). Male deer have 5 pronged antlers (5 points on each antler) that may measure 1.3 meters (4 feet) and resemble the 6 prong antler plan of the American Elk or Wapiti but without the bez (second tine). This deer, like the Wapiti, is predominantly a grazer and also has large ears, a shoulder hump, and a large rump patch with a short tail. Calves are not spotted at birth.

[edit] See also

• Wapiti - East Asian/North American Wapiti
• Central Asian Red Deer - Himalayan/Tibetan Red Deer
• Sika Deer

[edit] External Links

• UltimateUngulate
• Animal Info
• WorldDeer
• ChinaCulture
• BigGame