Many, having for the first time seen a water deer on a photo, draw a conclusion that it is result of the photoshop or an invention of animators. However such animal exists actually and represents majestic family of olenevy.
Features of a water deer
The water deer belongs to group hornless artiodactyl that, undoubtedly, distinguishes him from other olenevy. Instead of horns at this herbivorous look two canines which by means of facial muscles the animal can freely operate grow, putting them in action during mating dance for fight against competitors and at the danger moments. Length of canines at males usually is from 5 to 8 centimeters, females have a little less.
Water deer belong to stubborn and hardy animals. To find the pasture, they are ready to overcome hundreds of kilometers. Being great swimmers, deer with success cross the rivers and lakes which are found them on the way to treasured greens.
It is possible to call water deer owners, they will never let strangers to the territory which is periodically marked, plucking a grass on perimeter of the chosen site. With designation of borders they are helped by glands between fingers producing special odorous liquid. These animals usually conduct a single, or pair way of life and become sociable only during pairing. Sounds which they make are made due to clicks of molars. Also they are able to whistle, squeal and even to give the signals reminding dog bark.
Habitats
It is possible to meet this species of deer in the east of China along coast of lakes and the rivers. Also popular location of these animals is the delta of the Yangzi and Koreysky River the peninsula. They are grazed in thickets of the foothills and reed or on the opened fields in an environment of the soft sowed soil.
Appearance
Water deer are very similar to roes. It is possible to distinguish them on small growth (body length no more than 100 cm, animal height about 50 cm, weight within 15 kg), to a brawny constitution and, of course, on long and curved canines. Also they have a small tail, on average up to 8 cm. Ears of an animal short, have rounded shape. Back extremities of a water deer are much more powerful than lobbies. A color of hair of water deer brown-brown, sometimes with impregnations black, an upper lip always white. In the summer these animals fade, and have the soft warm wool reaching 40 mm in length in the winter. Poaching and also destruction of habitats water cervine - the main threats for this look relating to vulnerable for total disappearance. In the wild nature there are only 10 thousand individuals and they live in the limited territory.