Overview
Smaller than the Himalayan and Chinese races and with smaller horns. The key difference in Gorals and Serows is that Serows have a lower canine and usually Gorals do not. General color for this serow is black, with brownish-black underparts, and the area above the hooves is tawny. The mane is composed of black, white and tawny hairs. Lips, chin and throat are buffy white.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Bovidae
- Genus
- Capricornis
Habitat
They can be found inhabiting rocky hills, mountains, canyons, dense vegetation, and forest. They can live at both high and low elevations. When their range overlaps with gorals, serows are generally found at lower elevations. Distribution- Mountains and higher regions of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula.
Diet
This animal is a selective browser and will also graze. They eat a variety of leaves, needles, shoots, acorns, grasses, flowers, and fruits when available.
Behavior
Slower and less agile than gorals. Unlike gorals, serows use their preorbital glands when scent marking. This Serow species is a strong swimmer.
Hunting
There is a great deal of unregulated hunting that occurs, but habitat destruction is also a main threat. A regulated legal hunting market would combat both of these issues facing all Serow subspecies.
Conservation Status
Listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.