About Hippocamelus antisensis (d'Orbigny, 1834)
The taruca, scientifically named Hippocamelus antisensis (d'Orbigny, 1834), is a medium-sized deer with a heavy build. It measures 128 to 146 cm (50 to 57 in) from head to rump, has an 11 to 13 cm (4.3 to 5.1 in) tail, and stands 69 to 80 cm (27 to 31 in) tall at the shoulder. Adult tarucas weigh between 69 and 80 kg (152 and 176 lb), and like most deer species, males are noticeably larger than females. Most of its body is covered in sandy brown fur, with white patches on the underside of the head, neck, tail, and genital region, as well as on the inner surface of the forelegs. Females often have a dark brown patch on the forehead, while facial markings are much more distinct in males. Exact patterns vary between individual males, but they generally have a black mask behind the nose, and a black Y- or V-shaped pattern across the forehead and snout. Like other deer, only male tarucas typically grow antlers. The longer tine of a fully grown male usually measures around 30 cm (12 inches). Unlike most other South American deer — the only exception being the closely related huemul — taruca antlers have just two tines that branch from the base, with the posterior tine being the larger one. Males also have canine teeth in their upper jaw; females usually, but not always, lack these teeth. Tarucas are found only in the Andes mountains, ranging from central Peru through Bolivia and extreme northeastern Chile into northern Argentina. Earlier claims that tarucas also live in Ecuador are not supported by any evidence. Peru hosts the largest taruca population in South America; in 2008, researchers estimated that between 9,000 and 12,000 tarucas lived across the central Andes. The Huancabamba depression forms the northern limit of the species' range. Tarucas generally live at altitudes between 3,500 m (11,500 ft) and 5,000 m (16,000 ft). At lower altitudes within this range, they may share territory with the Peruvian whitetail deer, which is also endemic to the region. In Argentina, tarucas are found at 2,000 m (6,600 ft) to 3,000 m (9,800 ft), where they occupy grasslands with occasional shrubs and rocky outcrops, and typically stay near water. No subspecies of taruca are currently recognized. The taruca's breeding rut lasts from May to July. During this period, deer split into smaller groups each containing a single adult male. Males shed their antlers right after the breeding season ends in September. New antlers begin growing in December, and lose their velvet covering by February. Pregnancy lasts 240 days, so a single fawn is born between January and March, which coincides with the local rainy season. Twins have been recorded in captivity, but are very rare. The mother leaves her group to give birth, and keeps the fawn hidden behind rocky outcrops for the first month of its life.
