Rusa unicolor
sambar

Rusa unicolor are native to India, Pakistan, Ceylon, Burma, Sri Lanka, Philippines, southern China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, and Java (Medway, 1969). Sambars have also been successfully introduced in Australia, New Zealand, California, Florida and Texas (Nowak, 1999). (Medway, 1969; Nowak, 1999)

Sambars inhabit both gently sloping and steep forested hillsides. They reside preferably near cultivated areas, such as gardens and plantations, in order to acquire food, but are also found in thick forests, swamp forests, and open scrub (Payne et al., 1985). Some of these deer may move between higher altitudes in the summer to lower, more sheltered areas during the winter months (Nowak, 1999). (Nowak, 1999; Payne, Francis, and Phillipps, 1985)

Sambars have a coarse coat of short, dark hair with lighter brown to creamy white hair on their undersides (Tate, 1947). The backsides and undersides of their bushy tails are white, and when raised, the tails are used as signals (Nowak, 1999). Males are generally larger than females and posess a dense mane on their necks. Male Sambars have antlers with three or four tines, and these antlers are periodically shed and replaced. Antlers can reach lengths of up to 100 cm. The maximum size for males is 185-260 kg, and about 162 kg for females (Medway, 1969). (Medway, 1969; Nowak, 1999; Tate, 1947)

In captivity, Rusa unicolor can live for over 26 years, but in the wild the average lifespan is about 20 years (Nowak, 1999). (Nowak, 1999)

Sambars are mostly nocturnal, resting during the day in heavy forest cover (Medway, 1969). These deer are solitary but may be found in small groups during the mating season. Also, groups of up to 6 females with dependent young may travel together (Payne et al., 1985). Males are nomadic and establish territories primarily during breeding seasons. All sambars are proficient swimmers (Nowak, 1999). (Medway, 1969; Nowak, 1999; Payne, Francis, and Phillipps, 1985)

Sambars generally feed at dusk or at night, and they browse on leaves, berries, grasses, bark from young trees, fallen fruit, herbs and buds. They browse mainly at clearings and forest edges (Payne et al., 1985). (Payne, Francis, and Phillipps, 1985)

Sambars have developed a crepuscular and nocturnal activity pattern in response to hunting pressures from humans (Payne et al., 1985). (Payne, Francis, and Phillipps, 1985)

Sambar may disperse seeds as they forage.

Sambars may damage agricultural crops when they forage near human habitation.

Humans hunt Rusa unicolor for food and for trade. Sambars are also captured and placed into zoos worldwide. (Payne, Francis, and Phillipps, 1985)

Although global population data is not known, the population in India exceeds 50,000 and in Australia Sambars number more than 5,000 individuals. (Nowak, 1999)

Several subspecies are recognized, including Rusa unicolor equinus, Rusa unicolor unicolor, Rusa unicolor brookei, and Rusa unicolor dejeani. Sambars were previously considered a member of the genus Cervus, as Cervus unicolor. (Payne, Francis, and Phillipps, 1985; Tate, 1947)