Taruca

Taruca

Peruvian guemal, North Andean deer, North Andean huemul, Northern huemul, Northern guemal

Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Suborder
Family
Subfamily
Genus
SPECIES
Hippocamelus antisensis
Population size
15.7-21 Thou
Life Span
10 years
Weight
69-80
151.8-176
kglbs
kg lbs 
Height
69-80
27.2-31.5
cminch
cm inch 
Length
128-146
50.4-57.5
cminch
cm inch 

The taruca (Hippocamelus antisensis) is a medium-sized deer species that lives in the high regions of South America. Its common name, taruca, means "deer" in both, the Quechua and Aymara languages. It is closely related to the Southern guemal.

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Appearance

The taruca has sandy brown fur over most of its body, with white patches on the underside of its head, neck, tail, and genital region, and on the inner surface of its forelegs. While females often have a dark brown area on the forehead, facial markings are much clearer in the males. The exact patterns vary between different males, but in general, there is a black mask behind the nose and a black Y or V pattern over the forehead and snout. As with other deer, only males typically grow antlers. The longer tine of a full-grown male generally measures around 30 cm (12 inches). The antlers consist of just two tines which branche from the base, and the posterior tine is larger. Males also possess canine teeth in their upper jaw, which females usually, but not always, lack. As with most deer, male tarucas are significantly larger than females.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Biogeographical realms
Mountains

Tarucas are found only in the Andes mountains. They occur from central Peru, through Bolivia and extreme north-eastern Chile, and into northern Argentina. Tarucas live above the treeline on mountain slopes; there they inhabit rocky slopes, queñual forests, and puna grasslands by the side of glacier lakes.

Taruca habitat map

Climate zones

Taruca habitat map

Habits and Lifestyle

Tarucas are diurnal animals. They are gregarious but do not live in stable herds. Individuals move between groups of up to 30 members each over the course of a few days. Individual groups are typically led by the females. During the breeding season, males may compete with one another, displaying threatening behavior by raising their forelegs one at a time and pointing their antlers toward one another. During summer months tarucas stay at higher slopes but with the start of winter, they move to lower elevations where they can find shelter in valleys.

Group name
Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Tarucas are herbivores (folivores, graminivores). They feed mainly on the local bushes, shrubs, and herbs for much of the year, and supplement their diet with grasses during the rainy season. They favor such plants like dwarf gentian, ragworts, lupins, senna, valerian, and clubmosses. Tarucas may also feed on agricultural crops, such as alfalfa, barley, and potato plants.

Mating Habits

REPRODUCTION SEASON
May-July
PREGNANCY DURATION
240 days
BABY CARRYING
1 fawn
FEMALE NAME
doe, hind
MALE NAME
buck, stag
BABY NAME
fawn

Little is known about the mating system of tarucas. Their rutting (breeding) season lasts from May to July. During this time the deer segregate into smaller groups with a single adult male. Males drop their antlers immediately after the rutting season finishes, in September; the new pair begins to grow in December and lose the velvet by February. After the gestation period of 240 days, females give birth to a single fawn; this usually occurs between January and March, coinciding with the rainy season. Females leave their groups in order to give birth and keep their fawns hidden behind rocky outcrops for the first month of their lives.

Population

Population threats

The main threats to tarucas include habitat loss due to logging and expansion of agricultural areas, illegal hunting, competition with domestic stock, and predation by domestic dogs. These deer are also hunted for their meat and antlers which are then used in traditional medicine.

Population number

According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of the taruca is 15,750-21,000 individuals or 4,162-5,750 mature individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are decreasing.

References

1. Taruca Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taruca
2. Taruca on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/10053/22158621

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