Animal Description
The Sri Lankan sambar deer (Rusa unicolor unicolor), the island’s largest deer species, is a robust and powerful herbivore with a dark brown coat and a shaggy mane along its neck and chest. Males carry three‑tined antlers that can grow up to 110 cm long, used for territorial displays and fights during the rutting season. These deer are often seen grazing in open clearings or wading in lakes and ponds, as they are excellent swimmers. Sambar play a vital role in Sri Lanka’s ecosystems as key prey for leopards, and their alarm calls often alert other animals to danger.
Animal Category