The taruca, Hippocamelus antisensis, also known as the northern huemul or Peruvian guemal, is a mid-sized deer with a heavy body that lives in the high regions of the Andes. It stands about 69 to 80 centimetres at the shoulder and weighs between 69 and 80 kilograms, and males are clearly larger than females. The sandy brown coat has white patches on the underside of the head, neck and tail, and males show a black mask and a dark Y or V on the forehead and snout. Only males grow antlers, which have just two tines. Tarucas live at altitudes of about 3,500 to 5,000 metres, and at 2,000 to 3,000 metres in Argentina, where they occupy grasslands with shrubs and rocky outcrops, usually near water. The name taruca means deer in Quechua and Aymara.
Facts
Classification
Population Trend System (Realm) ThreatsBiological Resource Use 2 Relationship to People Living or Extinct Conservation Status Body Size Band Activity Pattern Activity Pattern Activity Pattern Comparison
CITES Appendix Connections
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Taruca (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, range (argentina)Quote, Distribution and habitat, range (argentina)
from central Peru, through Bolivia and extreme north-eastern Chile, and into northern Argentina
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Taruca (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, range (bolivia)Quote, Distribution and habitat, range (bolivia)
from central Peru, through Bolivia and extreme north-eastern Chile, and into northern Argentina
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Taruca (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, range (chile)Quote, Distribution and habitat, range (chile)
from central Peru, through Bolivia and extreme north-eastern Chile, and into northern Argentina
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Taruca (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, range (peru)Quote, Distribution and habitat, range (peru)
from central Peru, through Bolivia and extreme north-eastern Chile, and into northern Argentina
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Taruca (Wikipedia)Lead, range (the-andes)Quote, Lead, range (the-andes)
inhabits the high regions of the Andes mountains in South America
Sources
1. Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014): EltonTraits 1.0 mammal diet data
Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014)Row: hippocamelus antisensis, Diet columns (plant material 100%, fruit 0%, seed 0%)
5287 Hippocamelus antisensis Cervidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_1 ABC 68599.35 Ref_117 1
Row: hippocamelus antisensis, Activity columns (Nocturnal 1)
5287 Hippocamelus antisensis Cervidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_1 ABC 68599.35 Ref_117 1
Row: hippocamelus antisensis, Activity columns (Crepuscular 1)
5287 Hippocamelus antisensis Cervidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_1 ABC 68599.35 Ref_117 1
Row: hippocamelus antisensis, Activity columns (Diurnal 1)
5287 Hippocamelus antisensis Cervidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_1 ABC 68599.35 Ref_117 1
Row: hippocamelus antisensis, BodyMass-Value 68599.35 g (68.6 kg); band set by mass: medium from 1.2 kg to under 32 kg, large from 32 kg to under 1000 kg
5287 Hippocamelus antisensis Cervidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_1 ABC 68599.35 Ref_117 1
View the Source 2. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Hippocamelus antisensis (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyConservation Status, CITES
CITES Appendix I
Habitat, Terrestrial Biomes
Terrestrial Biomes mountains mountains
Lifespan/Longevity, captivity
Average lifespan Status: captivity 10.6 years
Conservation Status
Population decline has been linked to poaching.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Humans also hunt the animal for its fur and antlers
View the Source 3. Taruca (Wikipedia)
Distribution and habitat, range (peru)
from central Peru, through Bolivia and extreme north-eastern Chile, and into northern Argentina
Distribution and habitat, range (bolivia)
from central Peru, through Bolivia and extreme north-eastern Chile, and into northern Argentina
Distribution and habitat, range (chile)
from central Peru, through Bolivia and extreme north-eastern Chile, and into northern Argentina
Distribution and habitat, range (argentina)
from central Peru, through Bolivia and extreme north-eastern Chile, and into northern Argentina
Lead, range (the-andes)
inhabits the high regions of the Andes mountains in South America
Lead
is a mid sized deer species
Child Taxon Of: Cervidae, Lead, family placement
is a mid sized deer species
In Group: Even-Toed Ungulates (Artiodactyla), Lead, group placement
is a mid sized deer species
In Biome: Puna, Habitat section
and at puna grasslands by the side of glaciar lakes
View the Source4. GBIF: Hippocamelus antisensis
GBIFDistributions, IUCN Red List threat statusQuote, Distributions, IUCN Red List threat status
threatStatus: VULNERABLE
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