Plate 028 · buck on an Aconquija slope IdentificationSix marks on the plate
- 1Forked antlers, each with two points; males only.
- 2Large ears pale inside.
- 3Dark face mask a Y-shape on forehead and muzzle.
- 4White lips and chin, and a pale throat.
- 5Stocky body greyish brown, on short, strong legs.
- 6Pale rump and a short tail, dark above.
Easily confused with Gray brocketMazama gouazoubiraSmaller and slimmer, with spike antlers. Lives in forest lower down. GuanacoLama guanicoeLong neck, no antlers and a sharply white belly. 028 / 100 · MAMMALS · CERVIDAEVULNERABLE Taruca
Hippocamelus antisensis
Taruca · North Andean deer
The deer of the high peaks. In Tucumán it lives in the high grasslands and rocky slopes of the Aconquija, inside the national park. It is a National Natural Monument and one of the most threatened mammals of the northwest.
- Weight
- c. 45 – 65 kg
- Altitude
- c. 2,500 – 4,500 m
- Antlers
- forked, two points
- Groups
- small, mixed
- Natural Monument
- High mountains
- Threatened
- Lives in groups
Altitude rangeOnly up high
Grassland and rocky slopes In the Aconquija it uses steep grassy, rocky slopes above the treeline. In winter snow can push it a little lower.
FoodHigh-altitude grasses and herbs
- Tender grassesshoots between tussocks
- Herbslow flowering plants
- Shrubsleaves and shoots
- Wet meadowsgreen forage in the dry season
It feeds in the morning and afternoon. At midday it rests lying among rocks, watching the slope.
BehaviourSmall groups on the rocks
- Social. It forms small groups of males, females and young. It is more social than its southern relative, the huemul.
- Steep slopes. It moves easily on steep rocky ground and uses boulders as cover.
- Threats. Hunting, dogs and competition with livestock have greatly reduced its numbers.
Where to look in Tucumán- PN Aconquija
- Sierra del Aconquija (pastizales de altura)