The Rusa Deer or S unda
Sambar, Cervus timorensis, are native to the islands of Java eastwards
towards Bali, and Timor in Indonesia. This species of deer is similar in
ecology to the Chital of India, occupying open dry and mixed deciduous
forests, parklands, and savannas. Rusa deer are also found as an
introduced species on the Australian mainland and are a close relative
to the larger Sambar deer.
Rusa Deer are moderately hunted in eastern Australasia and they have
also established populations in remote islands probably brought by
Indonesian fishermen. There are two subspecies of the Rusahighear; the
more common and larger Javan Rusa, a large stag (male deer) weighing in
at around 136 kg with does(females) being much smaller tipping the
scales at around 96 kg. The second species of Rusa deer is the less
common and slightly smaller Mollucan Rusa which on average are 20 kg
lighter than their Javan cousins.
Rusa Deer are predominantly active around the early morning and late
afternoon rarely being seen in the open and being very difficult to
approach due to their keen senses and naturally cautious instincts.
These deer have shown a very good sense of adaptation; living as
comfortably in the dry Australian bush as they do in their tropical
homelands. This trait is shown well in the more frequent encounters on
the fringes of Wollongong and Sydney, and in particular, the Royal
National Park, indicating steadily growing numbers and strong herds.
Rusa Deer are recognised by their large ears , the light tufts of
hair above the eyebrows, the typical antlers seeming overly large for
their body size. If you get get close to a free ranging Rusa stag and
spook him, he will let out an extremely loud honk. This is a form of
alarm and will alert any other deer in the vicinity of the unrecognised
danger.
Rusa Deer are very sociable and you will rarely find one on its own;
it may seem to be alone but these animals are masters of camouflage.
Rusa Deer are so adept at hiding themselves that they may sometimes let
you walk right past.
These animals breed around July and August in a period known as the
rut. At this time stags battle for dominance and breeding rights of the
females and contest these bouts through calling in a loud shrill bark or
physical contact with the antlers.
The females calf at the start of spring and animals are mature in
aroung 3 to 5 years depending on conditions and habitat.
Subspecies:
* Cervus timorensis djonga Muna and Butung Islands.
* Flores Rusa Deer Cervus timorensis floresiensis Lombok and other
islands.
* Celebes Rusa Deer Cervus timorensis macassaricus Celebes.
* Moluccan Rusa Deer Cervus timorensis moluccensis Molucca Islands.
* Javan Rusa Deer Cervus timorensis rusa Java. |
