Large male Sambar Deer, Wasgamuwa, Sri Lanka
Somewhat of a lucky spotting. We were on a path with tree growth in both sides when in a curve we ran into this, only a few feet away. It was a shocked as we were, but made no immediate attempt to flee. I'm not sure how big they get normally, but it looked huge to us.
Sri Lankan sambar deer is a sub-species of sambar deer that lives in Sri Lanka. This subspecies is one of the largest sambar deer species with the largest antlers both in size and in body proportions. Large males weight up to 270–280 kg. Sri Lankan sambar live in lowland dry forests and mountain forests. Large herds of sambar deer roam the Horton Plains National Park, where it is the most common large mammal.
Similar species: Even-toed Ungulates
By Ferdy Christant
All rights reserved
Uploaded Feb 7, 2015. Captured Nov 9, 2014 14:50.
comments (2)
It's always amazing when that happens isn't it. Years ago, before I started regularly taking my camera out on hikes my husband and I were backpacking in the Olympic rainforest. We rounded a corner and nearly walked right into the middle of a herd of Roosevelt elk. We all looked at one another for a moment and then they nearly silently vanished up the hill. Magic! Posted 10 years ago