Mammals
Serow
Capricornis sumatraensis · also called mainland serow
Marking its steep, forested territory with a strong-smelling secretion rather than confrontation, a serow moves alone across near-vertical mountain slopes throughout South and Southeast Asia, its dark, coarse coat built to disappear into dense shadowed cover.
Overview
The serow, Capricornis sumatraensis, is a solitary goat-antelope native to forested mountain habitat across South and Southeast Asia. Its scent-based territorial marking, preference for extremely steep and densely wooded terrain, and strictly solitary lifestyle make it one of the more elusive mountain mammals found anywhere in Asia.
A specialist in terrain most animals avoid
Where many mountain ungulates favour relatively open rocky slopes, the serow has committed to the densest, steepest forested terrain available, a niche that keeps it well hidden but also makes it one of the harder mountain species to study and monitor.
Status
Vulnerable, with populations declining across South and Southeast Asia due to habitat loss and hunting pressure.
Serow: common questions
Why does the serow mark its territory with scent?
This species marks its territory using a strong-smelling secretion from glands near its eyes, a method of communicating boundaries to other serow without any need for direct contact or confrontation.
What kind of terrain does the serow prefer?
This species is built specifically for near-vertical, densely forested mountain slopes, favouring far denser cover than the more open terrain used by many other mountain-dwelling ungulates.
Does the serow live in groups?
No, this species is strictly solitary for most of the year, only coming together briefly with a mate during the breeding season before returning to a solitary lifestyle.
Do female serow have horns?
Yes, this species has short, backward-curving, ridged horns present on both males and females, typically growing to a similar length in each sex.