Monday, May 9, 2011

About state animal of Uttarakhand is Musk Deer


The state animal of Uttarakhand is Musk Deer. This state animal of Uttarakhand is also known as 'Kasturi Mrig'. It is said that Musk Deer, the state animal of Uttarakhand, is the most primitive among the deer family. It is believed to be even more primitive than the 'true deer' belonging to the family Cervidae. The state animal of Uttarakhand belongs to the genus 'Moschus': it is only genus of family 'Moschidae'.

The physiology of the Uttarakhand's state animal is said to be reminiscent of that primitive anatomy. It does not possess antlers or facial glands. It is also said to possess a single pair of teats, a gall bladdar, a caudal gland, a pair of tusk-like teeth and a musk gland. It is this musk gland that makes the Musk deer, Uttarakhand state animal, economically important to the humans.

The musk gland, that belongs to the state animal in Uttarakhand, is of utmost importance to the human beings. The musk gland of the Musk deer is said to give out a smell that stays for a long time. It is from this gland of the state animal that humans make perfume: the Arabs were the first to extract perfume from of the musk glands of the Musk Deer.

A short survey on the state animal of Uttarakhand can be as follows:

* Body Length - 2.8 - 3.3 feet.
* Shoulder Height - 20 - 21 inches.
* Weight - 24 - 40 pounds.
* Gestation Period - 185 - 195 days.
* Young ones per birth - 1, or 2.
* Life Span - 12 - 20 years.
* Family group - Solitary.
* Diet - Grasses, moss, lichens, twigs, shoots, leaves, etc.
* Predators - Yellow-throated marten, wolf, fox, lynx, etc.

But it is noteworthy that unrestrained poaching and hunting has lead enlisted the state animal among the most threatened animals.

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