As the wild animal, deer was part of the magnificent live of the wildlife. They lived in a wild environment along with other wild animals, mostly in the deep of jungle, desert, or forest. There are several of traveling destination you could visit to see this animal up close, let me tell you that this places was famous as the center of wild creatures on earth: the one and only South Africa and other rainforest such Amazon. Deer distribution was quite prevalent; almost every country (as long as it has forest or natural wildly ecology for animals) has them, included our country, Indonesia.
The most famous breed of deer of Indonesia is Bawean deer; and I believe, every country has their own specific breed of deer. However, several breeds of deer which acknowledged all over the world are: white tailed deer, fallow deer, mule deer, red deer, Sika deer, and chital; many others which I could include on the list. Deer also known as the commonly inhabitant of forest. People frequently seen deer in forest, even reportedly being derived on the highway.
Despite the high frequency of appearance, as one of the secret of nature; what you don’t see everyday: how deer live their life would open your mind how this creature daily life behavioral, distribution, and etc. We would learn deeper about deer’s lives and their history, cultural effect of deer to human history. It is a good thing to learn something new every single day about our surrounding, to growth our understanding more and more. The old proverb said, with the greater knowledge, comes deeper understanding.
So, without further do, here is: what you don’t see everyday: how deer live their life. Take a sit, and enjoy the read!
The Deer
Deer is classified as Cervidae family of hoofed ruminant mammals. The singular and plural of deer is deer; well, this is just for additional information. For your note, there are two groups of deer existed: the first one is Capreolinae which are devided is several breeds, included moose, reindeer, and the roe deer; the second one is Cervinae which are included chital, muntjac, fallow deer, and elk.
Every year the new antlers would shed and grow in both sexes, male and female on every breed of deer except Chinese water deer. The Chinese water deer in part of different family named Bovidae, and would grow with permanently horns antelope.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
From tundra to the rainforest, many believe and connected deer with fores. But, you should know that some of dear is classified as ecotone species which are known lived in transitional areas such as open space: the savanna and prairie, also areas that have a lot of things that could cover them such as forest and thickets. The deer could live in different temperatures, from the savanna, deciduous forest, seasonal forest, coniferous forest, and even the mountain.
The action of extent the forest by clearing it might be good for the deer populations, because it allows weeds, grasses, and herb to grow which as we know all of it was the main meal for deer. But, due to survival and protection, still the place must be provide brushes to cover deer from their predators. Just like I mentioned, deer was spread in all continents over the world, but apparently there are two places become the exception: the first one is Antarctica, and the second one is Australia. Furthermore, the only deer species you would found if Africa is the Barbary stag species which is the native deer of the region.
In North America between the Colombia Mountain to Canadian Rocky Mountain was the highest concentrate of distribution regions. The Colombia owned all of the five of native deer species of North America: the moose, white-tailed deer, elk, caribou, and mule dear. The European was become the home of three species of deer: fallow deer, roe deer, and the red deer. Furthermore, in Asia the highest concentrate of deer distribution areas was in Northeastern China, North Korea, and Russia. India become the country of the highest numbers of deer distribution in Southern Asia.
Relationship with Human
In prehistory deer was the important source of food for people that days. For the examples, the red deer was commonly hunted by Germany, and the Sika deer was become one of the main livestock for Homo erectus in China. Furthermore, throughout of human history, deer was included as a part of cultural and ancient art, such as the mythology. The Asians, Hittites, Celts, ancient Egyptians, and ancient Greeks included deer to their mythologies.
One of the famous myths of deer was Shintoism in Japan that belief the Sika deer was the messengers to the Gods; in Mexico, Huichal Indian used deer as the major of sacrificial animal; and in China, deer was belief as a great medicine. In Europe and pre-Hispanic civilizations, deer was hunted as the materials property for coats and fabrics. In literature aspects, deer was become part of the major fables and literary works.
The examples are Sumerian latter writing, the animal that have been recalled in Bible, in the Indian’s Ramayana story, the golden deer which Rama had tried to catch was lured Sita and end up Sita being kidnap by Ravana.
Economical Aspect
Not only in literature, deer has became part of economical growth long-side in human history. The meat of deer which is called as venison, is took people attention for the beneficial effect for human because it was highly nutritious. Even in these present days, venison largely produce for people consumption. In 2012, around 25,000 tons of red deer venison was produced in North America.
The giant of deer production apparently fell to the hands of Great Britain, Ireland, and Germany; these countries earn about $100 million within a year (estimated even more than those numbers). Not to mention the fur production which known as buckskin; famous for its soft and strong qualities. The famous buckskin of roe deer was the main material of umbrella handles and other purpose (the similar product).
However, this is was lives of deer throughout the history. I hope you learn new lessons, and keep reading, my friends!