Mammals of the WorldJapanese Serow
Capricornis crispus
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Bovidae
- Genus
- Capricornis
- IUCN status
- LC
- Distribution
- Japan
- Realm
- Palearctic
About this species
- Size
- About 81–82cm at shoulder
- Weight
- 30–45kg
- Diet
- Leaves, shoots, buds and acorns
- Habitat
- Dense mountain woodland
- Range
- Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu
The Japanese serow is an endemic goat-antelope with a compact body, short limbs, coarse grey-brown fur and small backward-curving horns in both sexes. Adults stand about 81–82cm at the shoulder and weigh 30–45kg. A pale beard and dark facial markings are often visible, although coat colour varies. Its stocky outline and paired horns distinguish it from Japan's more lightly built sika deer (Nowak 1991, as reported on Wikipedia).
The species occupies dense mountain woodland across Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. It browses leaves, shoots and buds and also eats acorns. Adults are generally solitary or occur in pairs, marking territories with scent from glands in front of the eyes; females usually produce one kid. Following heavy historical hunting, the serow received national protection and was designated a Special Natural Monument of Japan in 1955 (Wikipedia, general species account).
Description: Wildlife of Japan guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com); general species information paraphrased from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)