Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 03, 2013 Features / Columnists, Interesting Creatures in Guyana
The Grey Brocket (Mazama gouazoubira), also known as the Brown Brocket, is a species of brocket deer from northern Argentina, Bolivia, eastern and southern Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. It formerly included the Amazonian Brown Brocket and sometimes also the Yucatan Brown Brocket as subspecies.
The coat of a grey brocket can range from grey-brown to dark brown. Lighter, browner coats are seen in those that live in grasslands, whereas greyer, darker colours are more prevalent in forest regions. Significant variation can be seen between individuals of the same population as well. Their tails are white on the bottom, and on their flanks the hair is of a lighter colour than that of the rest of the body. The body length of a grey brocket deer can range from 85 to 105 cm, while at the shoulder they typically are 50 cm to 65 cm tall. The weight of a grey brocket can range from 8 kg to 25 kg. Male grey brockets do have antlers, ranging in length from 70 cm to 100 cm.
The grey brocket is a herbivore that chooses what it eats selectively, though it does eat a wide variety of plants. During some periods, the grey brocket may become frugivorous (primarily fruit-eating), but this depends on the season, area, and availability of fruits. Many of the fruits are in dense forests, which it for the most part avoids, but it does find other sources of fruits and also other sources of food. In the dry season they eat the fruit from trees such as Ziziphus oblongifolia and Caesalpinia paraguariensis, which produce dry, tough fruits. Other sources of food for the grey brocket include, but are not limited to, cacti and roots. Often they eat leaves and roots to obtain water.
Though grey brockets do not prefer dense forests, they do prefer some type of shelter, generally avoiding completely open areas. It may not live in these completely open areas, but is not opposed to feeding in such areas, especially if cover is nearby. At times they find open agricultural plantations in which to feed.
Grey brockets give birth to only one offspring at a time, and reproduction does not seem to correlate with the seasons, as they can mate any time of the year. They reach an age of sexual maturity at 18 months. Gestation periods appear to last around eight months, and there is post partum estrus. Thus, it is possible for a grey brocket to produce two offspring in one calendar year. After birth, the doe takes care of the fawn until it is weaned, though the time until it is weaned is unknown. During this weaning period, the fawn remains hidden and is fed by the doe.
Four types of scent-marking have been observed as a means of communication, due to their performance of these behaviours in concurrence with certain postures. These scent-marking behaviors include urination, defecation, thrashing, and forehead rubbing. Such scent-marking tactics can be part of a claim on territory if a number of markings are placed within a concentrated area by a single grey brocket.
Grey brockets are diurnal animals that are seen a majority of the time alone, while commonly seen in pairs as well. It is rare to see them in packs of four or more. Unless under cover, they are very shy and nervous when held captive. Though the grey bracket is still abundant in all of its native range, it appears that populations are decreasing due to human infringement on their habitat. Numbers are especially low very near to human settlements. In Argentina, hunting pressures due in part to international expeditions is decreasing the population of grey brockets, along with habitat loss caused by humans. However, in Bolivia the populations are seemingly constant despite having similar hunting pressures. Populations are also decreasing in Brazil and especially in urban areas in Paraguay. The primary motive for hunting grey brockets is not pest control, as they cause a minimal amount of crop damage. However, hunters can sell the meat from one grey brocket for US$15, which could be a potential motivation. Actions to prevent further population decline have been taken through the implementation of hunting laws and the creation of protected areas. There are a total of 14 national and provincial reserves in Argentina, as well as seven protected areas in Bolivia to go along with many in Brazil. However, though hunting is illegal in many areas in the grey brocket’s range, bans are not always enforced. In order to prevent population decline in the future, hunting laws need to be enforced, stray dogs from human populations should be controlled, and local village populations should be educated to preserve the grey brocket populations. Also, population studies need to be done to determine the status of the grey brocket in order be better equipped to help it.
(Source: Wikipedia – The Free Online Encyclopedia)
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
Mar 28, 2024
Minister Ramson challenge athletes to better last year’s performance By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – Guyana’s 23-member contingent for the CARIFTA Games in Grenada is set to depart the...B.V. Police Station Kaieteur News – The Beterverwagting Police Station, East Coast Demerara (ECD) will be reconstructed... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – In the face of escalating global environmental challenges, water scarcity and... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]