The Sichuan deer (''Cervus canadensis macneilli''), also known as MacNeill's deer, is a subspecies of the
Elk native to Western China.
Description
This large, highland deer is of very pale, finely spotted color with gray or brownish black. The winter coat is of a brownish wash. These deer, along with the
Tibetan red deer, are the largest subspecies of
Central Asia
Central Asia, also known as Middle Asia, is a region of Asia that stretches from the Caspian Sea in the west to western China and Mongolia in the east, and from Afghanistan and Iran in the south to Russia in the north. It includes the former ...
n red deer. Older adult males may carry six tines on each antler similar to
wapiti subspecies. Also, unlike other Central Asian red deer subspecies, females do have short neck manes during the winter.
Range/discovery
This rare deer was first described in 1909 from a female specimen. 26 years later, male specimens were found and its true status became known. It lives in along the Chinese-Tibetan border.
References
Elk and red deer
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