ExploreMammals

Elaphurus davidianus

The Elaphurus davidianus, also known as the Milu or Pere David's deer, is a special deer that lives in wetlands. They have long legs and beautiful antlers, and they love to splash in the water!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Elaphurus davidianus is a large deer with a distinctive sandy-brown summer coat, changing to greyish-brown in winter. It has unique, long antlers that grow backwards and fork multiple times, unlike most deer. Its long, donkey-like tail ends with a prominent black tuft.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderArtiodactylaFamilyCervidaeGenusElaphurus

Elaphurus davidianus

Interesting facts

Every wild Milu deer alive today descended from just 18 individuals sent to Europe.

Milu deer are nicknamed 'four-unlike' for their unique mix of animal features!

They were reintroduced to China after being completely extinct in the wild for centuries.

Unlike most deer, Milu antlers can amazingly shed and regrow twice in a single year!

Special abilities

Elaphurus davidianus can swim very well because of their partially webbed hooves that help them move efficiently through water.

Elaphurus davidianus has unusual antlers that grow backward, which helps them maneuver through dense wetland vegetation.

Elaphurus davidianus has a highly developed sense of smell that helps them detect predators and find hidden aquatic food sources.

Measurements & details

Length: 180-210 cm
Weight: 150-200 kg
Lifespan: 15-18 years
Top Speed: 45 km/h
Litter Size: 1
Gestation: 250-270 days

Diet & Feeding

Milu deer are herbivores that munch on various plants, especially those found in wetlands.

Primary Foods

grasses
reeds
sedges
aquatic plants
leaves

Foraging Method

Grazing

Ecological connections

eaten by

Gray Wolf

Canis lupus

historically hunted adults and young

eats

Common Cattail

Typha latifolia

aquatic plant, a major food source

eats

Reed Canary Grass

Phalaris arundinacea

common wetland grass, highly palatable

depends on

Human

Homo sapiens

for reintroduction and ongoing habitat protection

Traits

Furry

Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Antlered

Antlered describes animals possessing antlers, which are bony, branching growths found predominantly on male deer and related species.

Herbivorous

This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.