Thamin or Brow-antlered Deer Cervus eldi

Measurements: Head & Body Length- 150 to 180 cm Shoulder Height- up to 110 cm Tail length- 20 to 30 cm Weight- up to 150 kg

Physical appearance

This deer is known by a number of different names, including the Brow-antlered Deer, Eld's Deer, Thamin and even as the Dancing Deer. Here they are referred to as Thamin. The Thamin is a medium sized deer, similar in appearance to the Barasingha, to which it is closely related. It is a very majestic species, possessing the usual elegant Cervus stature with long thin legs, a long body and a large head on a thin neck. Stags are larger and heavier than the females.

In summer the coat is a reddish-brown colour, while the winter coat is darker and is a dark brown. The coat looks course and rough, especially around the throat of the males where a thick mane of longer hair forms. Males tend to be darker in colour than the females. The tail is short in length. There is no distinct rump patch.

The most distinctive feature are the impressive antlers of the stags, which are many tined and can be as much as 2 metres in length. Most stags have antlers with 12 tines, but sometimes animals can be seen with antlers with over 20. The antlers grow in a distinctive lyre shape; growing backwards in a long arc. Instead of growing upwards they tend to grow outwards and then inwards. The brow tine is especially long and noticeable which lead to them being named as the Brow-antlered Deer.

There are 3 subspecies of Thamin. The Manipur Brow-antlered Deer or Sangai (C. e. eldii) is found in the Manipur province of North Eastern India. The Burmese Brow-antlered Deer (C. e. thamin)is found in Myanmar. The Thailand Brow-antlered Deer (C. e. siamensis) is found in Thailand and China.

Distribution and Habitat

Thamin population's numbers and distribution range have declined dramatically over the past 200 years. This has been partly because of over hunting, but mainly because of habitat loss. The Thamins preferred habitat is open parkland areas or light woodland, near to rivers or wet marshy land. It is not found in thick forest or woodland. These areas are also ideal areas for cultivation. As the human population of the area has increased, so Thamin numbers have fallen and they have been forced out of their old habitats.
Originally Thamin were found across northern parts of India and into southeastern Asia. They were found in the countries of India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and southern parts of China. Today all three subspecies are at serious risk of becoming extinct. Around 200 Manipur brow-antlered Deer are found in Keibul National Park in loktak lake in the Indian State of Manipur. 2,000 to 3,000 of the Burmese Thamin remain in scattered locations within Myanmar. The Thailiand Brow-antlered Deer is found in in Eastern Thailand and on the Chinese Island of Hainan, the population numbers for this subspecies are unclear but thought to be low.

Diet

Thamin feed on a variety of water living plants, grasses, herbaceous plants, and shoots.

Lifespan

Thamin have a maximum lifespan in the wild of around 10 years.

Reproduction

Rutting takes place in the early spring months between February and May. Males compete with each other to gain control of a harem of females that they can then mate with. After a 220 to 240 day long gestation period, normally a single calf is born. The young are spotted at birth; these spots fade as the animal grows. The young are weaned at 7 months of age, and becomes sexually mature from 18 months of age onwards.

Behaviour

The Thamin is thought to be similar in lifestyle to the Barasingha, although this is uncertain, as few detailed studies of its behaviour have been conducted. It appears to live in separate sex herds of up to 50 animals. The males joining the female herds during the rutting season. The Thamin feeds on a variety of grasses, herbaceous plants and wetland living plants. The Thamin is mostly nocturnal.

© 2005 Worlddeer