Cervidae (family)

Deer (unknown species) at Clear Range, NSW

Cervidae (family) at Clear Range, NSW - 12 Sep 2020
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Identification history

Unknown Deer species 13 Sep 2020 DonFletcher
Unknown Deer species 12 Sep 2020 IdleWanderer

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User's notes

No deer seen but many rubbed trees in the area, some high and some low on the trunks. The most common tree rubbed was the red stringybark (Eucalyptus macrorhyncha). Possibly Sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) as the bush in the area is quite thick and some rubs were quite high on the trunk (around 2 metres). Nearby hoof prints were large.

2 comments

DonFletcher wrote:
   13 Sep 2020
There are more Fallow Deer than Sambar in this area and I do not know if their tree rubs can be distinguished when this low on the tree.
IdleWanderer wrote:
   13 Sep 2020
Thanks Don. I agree there is no definitive way of distinguishing the species that made rub unless you are a deer. Maybe if I smelled the rub it would be more distinguishing. I was on my way down from Mt Yarara and more interested in getting my tired legs back home than taking more photos, even so, I should have taken a photo of one on the high up rubs at 2 metres or more. I do know that Sambar deer stand on the rear legs to rub, but that trait is possibly common to all deer. Also interesting was that the only rutting rubs I saw were all close by, within 20 metres or so, mind you, it is a large country out there. Again thanks for the confirmation.

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