Guinness World Records 2018

ANIMALS

LARGEST DEER EVER

The broad-fronted moose (Cervalces latifrons) lived

during the Pleistocene period. Based upon fossil

evidence, it grew to 2.1 m (6 ft 10 in), only slightly

taller than the giant deer Megaloceros giganteus

(below), but weighed

about twice as much,

at 1,200 kg (2,645 lb).

This is the fastest-growing

mammal tissue. It can grow at

a rate of an inch (2.5 cm)

per day, far faster than

human fingernails.

Some species, such

as the white-tailed

deer (Odocoileus

virginianus), can

jump distances of

30 ft (9.1 m). They

are also capable of

leaping nearly 8 ft

(2.4 m) into the air.

Smallest distribution range
for a deer species
The critically endangered Bawean deer
(Hyelaphus kuhlii), aka Kuhl’s hog deer, is entirely
confined to the tiny Indonesian island of awean,
located between Borneo and Java, which has
a total area of around 200 km² (77.2 sq mi) and
measures only 15 km (9.3 mi) across at its widest
point. Only 250 or so individuals still exist there
in the wild, in two small, topographically separate
populations. Captive breeding programmes have
been instigated elsewhere to secure its survival,
but it remains the rarest deer species.

Most common musk deer species
All seven species of musk deer are rare and
threatened with extinction, but the most
common species is currently the Siberian musk
deer (Moschus moschiferus), which is classed
as “Vulnerable” by the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN). All the other
six species are classed as “Endangered”. The

world population of Siberian musk deer is

decreasing as a result of hunting for the

precious musk-secreting gland possessed

by the adult males. It is estimated at around

230,000 individuals, of which approximately

150,000 constitute the population inhabiting

the Russian Federation’s Far Eastern region.

Smallest antlers

The antlers of the tufted deer (Elaphodus

cephalophus) of Asia are only 5 cm (1.9 in) or so

long. They are often hidden from sight beneath

the tuft of black hair on its brow, from which

this species derives its name.

Oldest deer

Owned by the Fraser family (UK), a hand-reared

Scottish red deer (Cervus elaphus) named

Bambi was born on 8 Jun 1963 and died on

20 Jan 1995, aged 31 years 226 days. Deer in

the wild that survive the hazards facing them

as fawns usually go on to live for 10–20 years.

LARGEST ANTLERS

The antler spread, or “rack”, of a moose (Alces alces)

killed near the Stewart River in Yukon, Canada, in

Oct 1897 measured 6 ft 6.5 in (1.99 m).

The prehistoric giant deer (Megaloceros giganteus)

had the longest antlers of any known animal. One

specimen discovered in an Irish bog had greatly palmated

antlers measuring 4.3 m (14 ft) across.

30 ft

Antler tissue

SMALLEST DEER SPECIES

The northern pudú (Pudu mephistophiles) grows

to a height of just 35 cm (13.7 in) at the shoulder,

and can reach a weight of 6 kg (13 lb 3 oz). It is

native to the Andes mountains of Colombia,

Ecuador and Peru. Male pudú have short, spiked

antlers that are shed annually, although – unlike

other deer species – these are not forked. Female

pudú do not have antlers.

SMALLEST

REINDEER

SUBSPECIES

Native to Norway’s

Svalbard islands,

an average male

Svalbard reindeer

(Rangifer tarandus

platyrhynchus) is

160 cm (63 in) long

and weighs 6 5–90 kg

(143–198 lb). Females

can reach 150 cm

(59 in) and 53–70 kg

(116–154 lb). Their

weight rises from

spring to autumn.

LARGEST DEER GENUS

Muntiacus, which houses the muntjacs or barking

deer, is generally thought to contain 12 species,

although a few researchers recognize 16. The

extra four are subspecies of the Javan muntjac

(M. muntjak) elevated by these researchers to full

species status. Muntjacs are native to Asia, but

some species have been introduced elsewhere,

including the UK.

The scientific

term “palmated”

describes a shape like

an open hand, or palm,

with the fingers

extended.