The mainland serow possesses guard hairs on its coat that are bristly or coarse and cover the layer of fur closest to its skin to varying degrees. The animal has a mane that runs from the horns to the middle of the dorsal aspect of the animal between the scapulae covering the skin. The horns are only characteristic of the males and are light-colored, approximately six inches in length, and curve slightly towards the animal's back. The mainland serow, both male and female, is around three feet high at the shoulder, and typically weighs around 200 lb (91 kg).[9][10]
Distribution and habitat
The mainland serow occurs in central and southern China, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and in the Indonesian island of Sumatra.[3]
In Assam, it inhabits hilly forests above an elevation of 300 m (980 ft), but descends to 100 m (330 ft) in winter.[11] It prefers elevations of 2,500–3,500 m (8,200–11,500 ft) in the Nepal Himalayas.[12]
In Tibet, its distribution follows forested mountain ranges.[13]
Behaviour and ecology
The mainland serow is territorial and lives alone or in small groups.[14]
Females give birth to a single young after a gestation period of about eight months.[15]
Fossils from Khok Sung in northeastern Thailand suggest it was a forest dweller in this palaeoenvironment.[16]
^ abMori, E.; Nerva, L. & Lovari, S. (2019). "Reclassification of the serows and gorals: the end of a neverending story?". Mammal Review. 49 (3): 256–262. doi:10.1111/mam.12154. S2CID155777271.
