Sumatran serows typically select bedding sites that are protected from the wind, but not secluded enough to allow a predator to sneak up on the resting serow. There is nothing in the literature regarding which predators prey on C. sumatraensis, however Lovari and Locati (1994) mention that serows sometimes occupy the same habitat as big cats such as leopards and tigers, which likely prey on them.
Predation does not appear to have a major impact on population density of the closely related Japanese serow, Capricornis crispus.
Known Predators:
Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic
In body shape, Sumatran serows resemble goats or antelopes. They are generally dark grey or black in color with backward pointing horns that narrow at the tips. The horns usually have a slight curve. A skin of C. sumatraensis measured 60 inches (approximately 152.4 cm) from nose to tail.
There is no information regarding sexual dimorphism in this species and standard measurements are not available. However, in a close relative, Capricornis crispus, both males and females were reported to weigh between 30 and 45 kg, with horns that averaged 12 to 16 cm in length.
At approximately 30 kg, Capricornis swinhoei, a close relative native to Taiwan, is slightly smaller than C. sumatraensis.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike; ornamentation
The maximum lifespan observed in a close relative, Capricornis crispus, is 20 to 21 years for males and 21 to 22 years for females. At birth, females have shorter life expectancies, 4.8 to 5.1 years, compared to males, with life expectancies of 5.3 to 5.5 years.
Capricornis sumatraensis is found in mountainous areas at altitudes of between 200 and 3,000 m. It resides mainly in forests and is frequently found near cliffs.
A close relative, Capricornis milneedwardsi, inhabits areas near the top of steep slopes with high densities of shrubs.
Range elevation: 200 to 3,000 m.
Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; mountains
The classification of serows has changed greatly over time. In 1908, seven subspecies of Capricornis sumatraensis were recognized based on geographical range. Subsequently, many of these subspecies were elevated to species. Later, serows were classified into two species, one of which was Capricornis crispus. Currently, there are six recognized species of serow, including Capricornis sumatraensis.
Observations of C. crispus indicate that kids recognize their mother by sound.
Capricornis sumatraensis has preorbital and interdigital scent glands. These glands are used to mark boundaries of territories. Capricornis swinhoei, a close relative that exhibits behavior very similar to that of C. sumatraensis, produces a high-pitched alarm call.
Communication Channels: visual ; acoustic ; chemical
Other Communication Modes: scent marks
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
In 2008, C. sumatraensis was listed as vulnerable by the IUCN Redlist. It is estimated that there are between 500 and 750 individuals in Malaysia, but there are no data on population size in Indonesia. The main threat for Sumatran serows is loss of habitat. Capricornis sumatraensis requires thick forest, and forests in its range are being cut due to agriculture and the demand for timber. Many Sumatran serows are also injured or killed by poachers when they are caught in traps meant for other animals. Capricornis sumatraensis is protected by law in Indonesia and Malaysia, as are certain parts of the animal’s habitat. Both Indonesia and Malaysia have conservation plans that aim to educate people living near serows, reduce habitat loss, and protect remaining habitat, to prevent the serow population from declining further.
US Federal List: endangered
CITES: appendix i
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: vulnerable
A close relative, Capricornis crispus, occasionally eats crops.
Throughout Asia, multiple species of serow are hunted for medicinal purposes and for their meat. The meat of the Formosan serow, Capricornis swinhoei, is highly valued in Taiwan. Some local people hunt C. sumatraensis for its meat, despite it being protected, because the locals believe that serow meat is better than meat that is more readily available, such as meat from goats. However, this hunting poses a threat to populations.
Positive Impacts: food
Other ungulates such as wild pigs, rusa deer, and barking deer or muntjacs share the Sumatran serow's habitat. There may be some overlap in diet between Capricornis species and other ungulate genera.
In captivity, Capricornis sumatraensis has been observed to host external parasites, such as large fleas. Nematode larvae have also been found in feces of captive individuals.
Commensal/Parasitic Species:
Sumatran serows are forest browsers and appear to prefer nutrient-rich vegetation, though they eat nearly any type of vegetation if nothing else is available. Multiple individuals are occasionally found feeding together in areas high in resources. A close relative, Capricornis swinhoei, has been observed in captivity to feed primarily during the evening hours and at night. Another close relative, Capricornis milneedwardsi, eats primarily the leaves and twigs from deciduous broadleaved trees.
Plant Foods: leaves
Primary Diet: herbivore (Folivore )
Sumatran serows, Capricornis sumatraensis, are found on the Thai-Malay Peninsula and on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. There are three specific areas of highlands on the island of Sumatra that have been identified as supporting populations of C. sumatraensis: the Barisan mountains in the south, Aceh in the north, and Kerinci in the central part of the island.
Biogeographic Regions: oriental (Native )
The mating system of C. sumatraensis has not been described, but a close relative, Capricornis crispus, commonly forms monogamous pairs. A single pair will often stay together for multiple years, each sex maintaining a territory that overlaps with the territory of its mate. Occasionally, polygynous groups form, but since females maintain their own individual territories, it is difficult for the male to guard multiple females. A typical pair bond lasts approximately 4.6 years.
The breeding season of C. sumatraensis occurs between the months of October and November. Gestation lasts approximately 7 months and, in one recorded instance of a captive Sumatran serow, birth occurred in early June. Usually the mother gives birth to 1 offspring.
Little is known about growth and development of young Sumatran serows, but in Capricornis crispus, a close relative with a similar gestation period, young stop being dependent on their mother at about 1 year of age, but stay in their mother's territory for 2 to 4 years. Capricornis crispus females reach sexual maturity at about three years of age.
Breeding interval: Sumatran serow breeds yearly.
Breeding season: Breeding occurs in October and November.
Average number of offspring: 1.
Average gestation period: 7 months.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous
Parental care in Capricornis sumatraensis has not been described. However, in a close relative, Capricornis crispus, the mother is the sole care provider for her young. Shortly after birth, the serow kid is able to travel with its mother as she forages for food. In C. crispus, a mother and kid will often stay close to the area where the kid was born for the first few days after birth. Capricornis crispus mothers are occasionally observed between the months of May and July without their kid, which suggests that kids sometimes hide for short periods of time.
Parental Investment: precocial ; female parental care ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)
The mainland serow (Capricornis sumatraensis) is a serow species native to the Himalayas, Southeast Asia and China.[3][1]
The mainland serow is related closely to the red serow, Himalayan serow, Sumatran serow, and the Chinese serow (C. milneedwardsii).[4]
In 1831, Brian Houghton Hodgson first described a goat-like animal with short annulated horns occurring in montane regions between the Sutlej and Teesta Rivers under the name "Bubaline Antelope".[5] As "Bubaline" was preoccupied, he gave it the scientific name Antelope thar a few months later.[6] When William Ogilby described the genus Capricornis in 1838, he determined the Himalayan serow as type species of this genus.[7]
Teeth from C. sumatraensis were found in a dig from Khok Sung, estimated to originate from the Middle Pleistocene.[8]
The mainland serow possesses guard hairs on its coat that are bristly or coarse and cover the layer of fur closest to its skin to varying degrees. The animal has a mane that runs from the horns to the middle of the dorsal aspect of the animal between the scapulae covering the skin. The horns are only characteristic of the males and are light-colored, approximately six inches in length, and curve slightly towards the animal's back. The mainland serow, both male and female, is around three feet high at the shoulder, and typically weighs around 200 lb (91 kg).[9][10]
The Himalayan serow inhabits hilly forests above an elevation of 300 m (980 ft), but descends to 100 m (330 ft) in winter.[11] It prefers elevations of 2,500–3,500 m (8,200–11,500 ft) in the Himalayas.[12]
The mainland serow is found in central and southern China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and in Indonesian Islands of Sumatra. Its distribution follows forested mountain ranges.[13][14]
The mainland serow inhabits steep, rugged hills up to an elevation of 4,500 m (14,800 ft). It prefers rocky terrain but is also found in forests and flat areas. It is able to swim to small offshore islands. This species has a moderate level of tolerance to human disturbance, and could persist well in habitat fragments and secondary forests, though avoiding farmlands.
The mainland serow is territorial and lives alone or in small groups.[15] Females give birth to a single young after a gestation period of about eight months.[16]
The mainland serow is protected under CITES Appendix I.[3]
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help) The mainland serow (Capricornis sumatraensis) is a serow species native to the Himalayas, Southeast Asia and China.
The mainland serow is related closely to the red serow, Himalayan serow, Sumatran serow, and the Chinese serow (C. milneedwardsii).
