English: Philippine Deer
Tagalog: Usa
Scientific: Cervus Mariannus
Population Status/Origin /Distribtution Habitat
Cervus mariannus is known to have at least four subspecies which are endemic to Luzon, Mindoro, Mindanao, and associated smaller islands in the eastern part of the Philippines (Oliver et al.1991) This animal is one of the regional variants of Cervus unicolor, is listed under Appendix II of the Comvention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of Flora nad Fauna (CITES). It has been considered as an endangered species by the ASEAN Experts Group onEnvironment (1986). However, compared with the Spotted Deer and the Calamian Deer, Cervus mariannus is not as seriously threatened throughout its range and is not included in the IUCN Red List (IUCN 19900. Recent survey, however, has indicated that hte subspecies of cervus mariannus in Mindoro (C.m. nigricans) are highly threatened within their respective range because if deforestation and over-hunting (OLiver et al.1990).
Description
The Philippine deer, also known as Luzon Sambar Deer is a medium-sized ungulate. Itas pelage is ruddy brown in color, with the upperparts, darker than the underparts. An average adult weighs from 40 to 60 kilos while a newly bord fawn weighs about 2.65 kilos ( Catibog- Sinha 1992). Like al cervids of the world except the musk deer), the philippine deer possesses a liver without a gall bladder (whitehead 1972)
The reprodutive behavior of the deer was observed and monitored in order to obtain pertinent information. in praticular, the data on mating, courtship,gestation period, parturition, doefawn bonding relationship, lastation, weaning yearling stage, and antler development were gathered during the entire duration of this study.
In general, maintenace behavior refers to non reproductive related activities performed by animals everyday. Such activities include, among others, stretching movements, grooming, wallowing/bathing, shaking, rubbing, sleeping, roaming/running, and drinking.
Sleeping/resting was found to be the most frequently performed activity, with each successive sleeping period constituting longer duration. the animals did not exhibit any preference for or fidelity to a resting site whitih the enclosure. however, they preferred the shade portions of the enclosure during regurgitation of ingested food. Resting, usually in groups or pairs, normally occurred immediatly after feeding.
Body-rubbing was also performed by the deer rubbing the sides of its body against rough objects, such as tree trunks, introduced rub-posts, wooden pegs and the pens cemented walls.
Wallowing was observed during warm days and particularly in the afternoon. Both sexes used the pools, but males seemed to wallow more often and longer than the females probably because wallowing decreases the bidy temperature which is essential in spermatogenesis. It was also observed that drinking was commonly associated with wallowing and feeding.