Asiatic mouflon(Ovis orientalis)
The asiatic Mouflon is a species of wild sheep and as such is one of the Caprinae or "goat antelopes". It is thought to be one of the two ancestors for all modern domestic sheep breeds[1]. It is red-brown with a dark back-stripe, light colored saddle patch and underparts. The males are horned and the females are horned or polled.
They originated in Southwest Asia, where the species known as Asiatic mouflon (Ovis orientalis) lives. They were introduced to the islands of Corsica, Sardinia, and Cyprus during the neolithic period, perhaps as feral domesticated animals, where they naturalized to the mountainous interiors of these islands over the past few thousand years, giving rise to the species known as European mouflon (O. musimon or O. ammon). They are now rare on the islands, but have been successfully introduced into central Europe, including Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania, even in some northern European countries, such as Finland.
The scientific classification of the Mouflon is disputed [2] but the European Mouflon may be considered as either Ovis musimon or Ovis ammon musimon.
Axis (Chital)
There are variety of Mammals that is breed and kept in Wildlife Fauna Janda Baik. Here is only some of them.
Measurements;
Head-Body Length-110 to 140 cm
Shoulder height- 95 cm
Tail length- 20 to 30 cm
Weight- 75 to 100 kg
Physical Appearance
Axis Deer are also commonly known as Chital or as the Spotted Deer. It is a
large species of deer, which has a particularly elegant and charming
appearance. Axis deer are relatively high legged, with thick necks and long
heads. Males are larger in size than the females and have thicker necks and
chests. Males are darker in colour, especially around the head and face, and
this darkening becomes more pronounced with increasing age.
The coat is distinctive being a rich dark brown coloured with numerous white
spots running in rows along the flanks. There is a dark black stripe of fur
that runs down the spine. The under parts, insides of the legs, and the
lower throat are white. The nose and eyes are dark in colour; the eyelashes
are long and especially noticeable. The muzzle and face is often darker in
colour than the body, and sometimes has black markings. The tail is long and
has a white underside.
Only the males carry antlers. These grow in a lyre like shape and can be up
to 76 cm long. Typically these have only three tines each, meaning that is
total the antlers have 6 tines. The antlers are carried low, and have a
strong front prong; the backwards-pointing prong is long and ends in a fork.
The antlers are usually shed annually, but because this is a tropical living
species there is no specific season in which they are lost.
Distribution
Axis deer occur throughout the Indian subcontinent and the island of Sri
Lanka. They are abundant in India and one of the most common species of deer
found there.
They have also been introduced into a number of European countries, New
Zealand, Australia, and the United States. In Europe numbers are small,
mainly because they are not particularly hardy and suffer in the cold
winters that occur here. Large numbers are kept in the United States,
especially in Texas, where they are used for ranching purposes.
Habitat
Axis deer prefer parkland habitats, with open woodland in grassy areas. They
are frequently found close to rivers and other sources of water. They can
also be found in more dense habitats such as thick jungle or forest,
although this is not there favourite habitat. They do not like rugged areas
of habitat.
Diet
Grass makes up a large proportion of the diet, but they also feed on
herbaceous plants and browse on twigs and leaves.
Lifespan
Chital have a lifespan of up to 9 to 12 years in the wild, although many
fall prey to predators before they reach this age. In captivity they can
live for over 20 years.
Reproduction
The mating season varies depending on where they are found. In more tropical
areas of India there is no distinct mating season and breeding can take
place throughout the year. In areas with more seasonal climates there will
be a distinct breeding season. During the mating season males compete with
each other for the possession of small groups of females known as harems.
Males will compete with each other using bellowing, and sometimes fighting
using their antlers. Usually the strongest most dominant males obtain harems
and so get to mate.
The females have a 220-day long gestation period, after which normally a
single calf is born, although twins can also sometimes occur. The calf is
weaned at 6 months of age, and becomes sexually mature from 12 months of
age.
Behaviour
Because Axis deer prefer open grassy habitats, they are often found close to
agricultural areas or human settlements. Humans have created the conditions
they most like, and this has helped to increase their numbers. However, they
may become threatened in the future because of increased hunting and a loss
of habitat caused by the need for more agricultural land to feed the growing
Indian population.
Axis deer are shy and secretive. They have a number of predators including
the tiger and leopard. They are a social species, living in small herds of
20 to 30 animals. Sometimes larger herds may form with up to 100 animals,
but these are quite rare. herds are led by a few dominant individuals who
decide where the herd will feed and rest. Older males tend to be more
solitary. While the other main species of Deer in India, the Sambar is
purely nocturnal; the Chital can be active throughout either the day or
night.