Capricornis crispus
Japanese serow

The distribution of Japanese serows is restricted to the Japanese islands of Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku. (Fukuda, 1995; Kubo, et al., 2001)

Japanese serows inhabit forested areas on mountains. (Fukuda, 1995; Kishimoto and Kawamichi, 1996; Kubo, et al., 2001; Ochiai and Susaki, 2002; Ochiai, 1999)

Japanese serows are similar in appearance to goats. Their horns average 12 to 16 cm in length. Their body length is approximately 130 cm, and their shoulder height is about 65 cm. Adult serows weigh 30-45 kg, and they are not strongly sexually dimorphic. Their pelage is dark brown, but in the northern part of their range the color is lighter. They possess large infraorbital glands that are used in scent marking their territories. This gland can be seen easily. (Fukuda, 1995; Kubo, et al., 2001; Ochiai and Susaki, 2002)

Japanese serows usually form monogamous pairs. However, some males mate with two and occasionally three females in the same breeding season. Two field studies at different locations found a similar proportion of polygynous males (20-30%), suggesting that the proportion of animals that mate polygynously is perhaps fixed in the species. Both sexes form territories that they defend against other individuals of the same sex. Usually male territories almost completely overlap those of a female, but sometimes male territories include territories of more than one female. In these cases, those males are polygynous. Mated pairs remain together every year, perhaps because they hold consistent territories. When a mate is displaced from their territory, their mate remains in the same territory and mates with the individual that takes over the territory of the displaced animal.

Japanese serows rut in September to November. The young are born in May and June, and they remain with their mother for about a year. Young reach sexual maturity at 2.5 to 3 years of age. Although serows become independent as yearlings, they remain in their natal territory. They disperse between 2 to 4 years of age, but females may inherit their mothers' territories. (Kishimoto and Kawamichi, 1996; Kishimoto, 1989; Ochiai and Susaki, 2002)

Most of the parental investment is provided by the mother. Young serows follow their mothers for a year, and remain in the mother’s territory for 2 to 4 years. Lactation continues until November. Males provide no parental care to the young, although they permit young within their territories. (Kishimoto and Kawamichi, 1996; Kishimoto, 1989; Ochiai and Susaki, 2002)

The maximum longevity is 20 to 21 years for males and 21 to 22 years for females. Life expectancies at birth are 5.3 to 5.5 years for males and 4.8 and 5.1 years for females. One study found that serows live in same territory for 11.7 to 12.4 years. Because serows disperse from their natal territories at 2 to 4 years of age to establish their own territories, they live most of their lives in the territory they established. Also, it is likely that successful establishment of a territory increases an individual's chances of survival greatly, those without territories have greater risk of mortality. (Ochiai and Susaki, 2002; Tokida and Miura, 1988)

Japanese serows are known to stand on high look outs for extended periods. This behavior could be for the purpose of detecting predators, but may also be to detect territorial rivals. (Fukuda, 1995)

Japanese serows are considered diurnal, but a study using radio collared individual found that they are almost as active during night. (Kishimoto, 1989)

Japanese serows are solitary animals and form intrasexual territories. They mark their territories with the scent gland located in front of the eyes. Encounter between adults serows of same sex results in aggression, where the intruding serows are chased out of the territories. Deaths from combat injury occur at least among males in some cases. Territory size is affected by the food availability. (Kubo, et al., 2001; Ochiai and Susaki, 2002; Tokida and Miura, 1988)

Japanese serows use scent marking to hold territories. Because they are solitary animals and have little occasion to encounter other individuals of the same species, they use scent marking as their primary method of communication. Females use sound to call their young. (Kishimoto, 1989; Fukuda, 1995; Kishimoto, 1989; Kubo, et al., 2001)

Japanese serows are browsers that feed primarily on the buds and leaves of deciduous broad-leaved trees. They also feed on leaves of evergreen coniferous trees and fallen acorns. They sometimes eat flowers and fruits. (Fukuda, 1995; Kubo, et al., 2001; Ochiai, 1999; Takatsuki, et al., 1988)

Japanese serows have no or very few predators other than humans. A potential predator is Ursus thibetanus, Asiatic black bears. However, Asiatic black bears are not highly predatory. Historically, wolves probably preyed on serows, but wolves were exterminated from the serow's range by the early 1900s. More significantly, humans hunted them for meat and hide in the past. They are currently protected as a Japanese natural heritage and hunting is prohibited. Recently, dog predation was found to be a leading source of mortality in some areas. (Kubo, et al., 2001; Ochiai and Susaki, 2002; Tokida and Miura, 1988)

Because Japanese serows are territorial and their density in any particular area is limited, their impact on vegetation is relatively low. However, some species of plants are affected by their browsing and consequently they have some influence over the vegetation. (Ochiai, 1999)

Traditionally Japanese serows were an important source of meat and hide for people. Currently they are recognized as unique species endemic to Japan and classified as a natural heritage. (Kubo, et al., 2001)

Because they browse on trees, Japanese serows sometimes become pests to the forestry industry as they damage planted trees. They are sometimes killed as a management practice to control damage to forestry plantations. (Kubo, et al., 2001)

Japanese serows were hunted to near extinction by people in the past. They are currently protected as a natural heritage and hunting has been prohibited. They are listed as Lower Risk in IUCN. (Kubo, et al., 2001; Ochiai and Susaki, 2002)

Japanese serows are currently recognized as Capricornis crispus, they were previously recognized under the name Naemorhedus crispus. (Fukuda, 1995; Kishimoto and Kawamichi, 1996; Kubo, et al., 2001; Ochiai and Susaki, 2002; Ochiai, 1999)