Sambar

Rusa unicolor

Sambar are large deer from southeast Asia, ranging from India to south China and down through the Indonesian archipelago. They live in forests near water. Sambar are both browsers and grazers. There is no sambar rut, they will breed year round. Males defend territories and mate females that pass through. Calves are born after eight months, and are mature at one and a half years. Sambar stags retain their antlers for several years, and may shed them at any time of year.

Several species of dwarf sambar are found on Pacific islands off Asia, which reach one quarter the mass of mainland sambar.

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