# 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! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Milu, Pere David's Deer ![Elaphurus davidianus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Elaphurus_davidianus_-_01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Carlos Delgado, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elaphurus_davidianus_-_01.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Cervidae - **Genus:** Elaphurus ## 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 - **Exceptional Swimmer:** Elaphurus davidianus can swim very well because of their partially webbed hooves that help them move efficiently through water. - **Backward Antlers:** Elaphurus davidianus has unusual antlers that grow backward, which helps them maneuver through dense wetland vegetation. - **Keen Sense of Smell:** 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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gray-wolf) (*Canis lupus*) — historically hunted adults and young - **Eats:** Common Cattail (*Typha latifolia*) — aquatic plant, a major food source - **Eats:** [Reed Canary Grass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/reed-canary-grass) (*Phalaris arundinacea*) — common wetland grass, highly palatable - **Depends on:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — for reintroduction and ongoing habitat protection ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Antlered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/antlered): Antlered describes animals possessing antlers, which are bony, branching growths found predominantly on male deer and related species. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch from a distance and do not disturb wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Elaphurus davidianus? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Elaphurus davidianus? 180-210 cm ### How much does Elaphurus davidianus weigh? 150-200 kg ### How long does Elaphurus davidianus live? 15-18 years ### How fast can Elaphurus davidianus move? 45 km/h ### What does Elaphurus davidianus eat? Milu deer are herbivores that munch on various plants, especially those found in wetlands. ### Where is Elaphurus davidianus usually found? Wetlands ### How does Elaphurus davidianus hunt? Grazing ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Elaphurus davidianus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/elaphurus-davidianus)