SEROWS: CHARACTERISTICS, BEHAVIOR, SPECIES, HABITAT

SEROWS

mainland serow

Serows look like a cross between a goat and an antelope. The south Asian species weights up to 140 kilograms (310 pounds), reach 1.8 meters (5.9 feet) in length and stand one meter (3.3 feet) at the shoulder, and have dagger-like horns, mule-like ears, brown, gray, black or white fur and acute vision, hearing and smell. Both males and females have horns. The horns are not shed annually like deer antlers; they are kept all year round. At the base of the horns and under their eyes are large special preorbital glands that produce smelly secretions that the animals use to mark their territory.

Serow are one of the most primitive members of the goat-antelope family. Fossils of an animal remarkably similar to a serow have been found in 35 million year old rocks. The maximum lifespan observed in a serow is 20 to 21 years for males and 21 to 22 years for females in Japanese serow. At birth, females have shorter life expectancies, 4.8 to 5.1 years, compared to males, with life expectancies of 5.3 to 5.5 years. /=\

Serow inhabit forests and scrublands, including tropical and montane environments and feed on grass, shoots and leaves. In Japan serow inhabit steep slopes of mountains forested with beech and oak. They are sure-footed on mountain slopes and comfortable in dense vegetation. Using their lips and tongues to gather food, they are ruminants and browsers that fed on tree leaves, fruits, flowers, buds, acorns and nuts. They like to eat cedar saplings and thrive in artificial forests.

Serow Subspecies and Taxonomy

Serows are medium-sized goat-like or antelope-like mammals in the genus Capricornis. There are four recognized species of serow that were, until recently, classified under Naemorhedus, which now only contains the gorals. The Japanese serow, or kamoshika, are endemic to Japan and are closely related to mountain goats, musk ox and chamois. A slightly related but different species of serow lives in Taiwan. They are also closely related to an other species that ranges cross the Asian mainland from Sumatra to the Himalayas and northern India to southern China.

The four species of serow are: 1) Mainland serows (Capricornis sumatraensis), formally known as Sumatran serows, which live in the Eastern Himalayas, eastern and southeastern Bangladesh, China, Southeast Asia, and the Indonesian island of Sumatra; 2) Japanese serows (Capricornis crispus), which live on Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku in Japan; 3) Red serow (Capricornis rubidus), also called Burmese red serows, which live in East India, southern Bangladesh and northern Myanmar; and 4) Taiwan or Formosan serow (Capricornis swinhoei), which are found in Taiwan, [Source: Wikipedia]

Stephanie Cunningham wrote in Animal Diversity Web: The classification of serows has changed greatly over time. In 1908, seven subspecies of mainland serow were recognized based on geographical range. Subsequently, many of these subspecies were elevated to species. Later, serows were classified into two species. [Source: Stephanie Cunningham, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]###

Bovids

Serows are bovids. Bovids (Bovidae) are the largest of 10 extant families within Artiodactyla, consisting of more than 140 extant and 300 extinct species. According to Animal Diversity Web: Designation of subfamilies within Bovidae has been controversial and many experts disagree about whether Bovidae is monophyletic (group of organisms that evolved from a single common ancestor) or not. [Source: Whitney Gomez; Tamatha A. Patterson; Jonathon Swinton; John Berini, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Wild bovids can be found throughout Africa, much of Europe, Asia, and North America and characteristically inhabit grasslands. Their dentition, unguligrade limb morphology, and gastrointestinal specialization likely evolved as a result of their grazing lifestyle. All bovids have four-chambered, ruminating stomachs and at least one pair of horns, which are generally present on both sexes.

Bovid lifespans are highly variable. Some domesticated species have an average lifespan of 10 years with males living up to 28 years and females living up to 22 years. For example, domesticated goats can live up to 17 years but have an average lifespan of 12 years. Most wild bovids live between 10 and 15 years, with larger species tending to live longer. For instance, American bison can live for up to 25 years and gaur up to 30 years. In polygynous species, males often have a shorter lifespan than females. This is likely due to male-male competition and the solitary nature of sexually-dimorphic males resulting in increased vulnerability to predation. /=\

Serow Habitat and Where They Are Found

mainland serow range

Mainland serows are found in mountainous areas in central and southern China, Southeast Asia, India, Nepal and Sumatra at altitudes of between 300 and 3,500 meters (980 to 11,500 feet). They reside mainly in forests and are frequently found near steep slopes and cliffs. In Assam, India, they inhabits hilly forests above an elevation of 300 meters (980 feet), but descends to 100 meters (330 feet) in winter. They prefer elevations of 2,500–3,500 meters (8,200–11,500 feet) in the Nepal Himalayas. In Tibet, they are found in forested mountain ranges. [Source: Stephanie Cunningham, Animal Diversity Web (ADW), Wikipedia]

There are three areas in the highlands of Sumatra that have been identified as supporting populations of Mainland serows: 1) the Barisan mountains in the south, 2) Aceh in the north, and 3) Kerinci in the central part of the island.

Red serows live in southern Bangladesh and northern Myanmar. They are sometimes considered a subspecies of mainland serow. In northeastern India, they occurs widely in the hills south of the Brahmaputra river. In Myanmar they have mainly been reported in Kachin State. In December 2023, a red serow was found in Sunamganj District of Sylhet Forest Division in north-eastern Bangladesh.

Feces of Taiwan serows are commonly found in Yushan National Park. They are sometimes spotted on top of Nanhu Mountain, Hsuehshan, Yushan, and Siouguluan Mountain and live in the Taroko National Park.

Serow Characteristics and Diet

Serows resemble goats or antelopes. Mainland serows are generally dark grey or black in color with backward pointing horns that narrow at the tips. The horns usually have a slight curve. A skin of a mainland serow measured 152.4 centimeters (60 inches) from nose to tail. Taiwanese serow weigh about 30 kilograms (60 pounds) are slightly smaller than Mainland serows. [Source: Stephanie Cunningham, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Sexual Dimorphism (differences between males and females) is present: sexes are similar size but ornamentation may be is different. Among Japanese serow, both males and females weigh between 30 and 45 kilograms (66 and 99 pounds), with horns that averaged 12 to 16 centimeters (4.7 to 6.3inches) in length. /=\

Serows are primarily herbivores (primarily eat plants or plants parts), and are also classified as folivores (eat mainly leaves). They mainly eat leaves. According to Animal Diversity Web: Mainland serows are forest browsers and appear to prefer nutrient-rich vegetation, though they eat nearly any type of vegetation if nothing else is available. Multiple individuals are occasionally found feeding together in areas high in resources. Japanese serow in captivity feed primarily during the evening hours and at night. Mainland serow in China primarily eat the leaves and twigs from deciduous broadleaved trees. /=\

Serow Behavior and Communication

red serow

Serow are cursorial (with limbs adapted to running), terricolous (live on the ground), diurnal (active during the daytime), motile (move around as opposed to being stationary), sedentary (remain in the same area), solitary and territorial (defend an area within the home range). There is no information on territory size for Mainland serows. [Source: Stephanie Cunningham, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Serow do not form herds. They generally live alone or in small family groups led by a male and female pair and or female. They generally stay confined to a territory which covers several square kilometers. Serow are most active around dawn and dusk and spends of the day in thick vegetation. Each individual or family group has its own territory which is marked by rubbing a sticky, smelly substance — produced by special glands underneath the eyes and horns — on tree trunks and branches. The animals have paths along which they move and preferred spots where they mark their territory and deposit their droppings. The size of the territory depend on the availability of food in that area. Solitary animals generally defend a territory of 1.2 hectares. Family groups defend up to 22 hectares.

Japanese serow males typically occupy larger territories (16.2 hectares) than females (10.5 hectares). The territories of two individuals sometimes overlap and encounters with an individual of the same sex usually result in aggression. Territory owners typically chase intruders from their territory. Mainland serow are territorial. Individuals mark territory boundaries using dung piles, which are usually placed in areas where they are not disturbed by the elements but are not hidden enough so as to prevent another serow from detecting them and consequently trespassing. /=\

Serows are shy animals. While mostly solitary, small groups are occasionally observed. Trails in serow habitat indicate that routes that are used to reach specific areas. Mainland serows spend almost all of their time on land, but they are known to be good swimmers. Aggressive encounters between mainland serows have not been fully described. Taiwan serows stomp the ground with both front feet when angered and use their horns as their primary weapons. Mainland serow have been observed biting as a defense when they are unable to kick with their front legs. /=\

Serow sense and communicate with vision, sound and chemicals usually detected by smelling. They also leave scent marks produced by special glands and placed so others can smell and taste them. Mainland serow has preorbital and interdigital scent glands. These glands are used to mark boundaries of territories. Taiwan serow produce a high-pitched alarm call. Observations of Japanese serows indicate that young recognize their mother by sound.

Mating, Reproduction and Offspring

Serows engage in seasonal breeding. Mainland serow breed yearly between October and November. The average gestation period is seven months. In one recorded instance a captive mainland serow gave birth in early June. Usually the mother gives birth to one offspring. [Source: Stephanie Cunningham, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Taiwan serow

The mating season for the Japanese serow is in the autumn and winter. The gestation period is eight months. Females usually give birth to one kid between September and October. Females of the Japanese species give birth to a one or two kids between May and September. Parents are often seem nuzzling their offspring. Kids don’t have horns. They grow them when they become sexually mature at three years.

Japanese serows commonly forms monogamous pairs. A single pair will often stay together for several years, each sex maintaining a territory that overlaps with the territory of its mate. Occasionally, polygynous groups form, but since females maintain their own individual territories, it is difficult for the male to guard multiple females. A typical pair bond lasts approximately 4.6 years. /=\

Young are precocial. This means they are relatively well-developed when born. Among Japanese serow, the mother is the sole care provider for her young. Shortly after birth, the serow kid is able to travel with its mother as she forages for food. With Japan serow, the mother and kid often stay close to the area where the kid was born for the first few days after birth. Mothers have been occasionally observed between the months of May and July without their kid, which suggests that kids are sometimes hidden for short periods of time. Japanese serow young stop being dependent on their mother at about one year of age, but stay in their mother's territory for two to four years. Japanese serow females reach sexual maturity at about three years of age.

Serow, Humans and Conservation

Throughout Asia, serow are hunted for medicinal purposes and for their meat. The meat of the Taiwan serow is highly valued in Taiwan. Some local people hunt mainland serows for their meat, despite the animals have a protected status. Some local people believe that serow meat is healthier than other similar meats such as goat meat. Japanese serow sometimes eats crops.

In 2008, Mainland serows was listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Redlist. On the US Federal List they are classified as Endangered. In CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild) they are in Appendix I, which lists species that are the most endangered among CITES-listed animals and plants. /=\

It is estimated that there are between 500 and 750 mainland serow in Malaysia. There is no data on population sizes in Indonesia. The main threat to serows is loss of habitat. Mainland serow requires thick forest, and forests in their range are being cut to make way for agriculture and for timber. Many serows are injured or killed by poachers when they are caught in traps meant for other animals. Serow are protected by law in many of the countries where they are found. Indonesia and Malaysia have conservation programs that aim to educate people living near serows, reduce habitat loss, and protect remaining habitat.

There is no firm information on natural predators preying on serows, however it seems plausible that tigers, leopards and perhaps bears prey on them. Mainland serows typically select bedding sites that are protected from the wind, but not secluded enough to allow a predator to sneak up on the resting serow. Other ungulates such as wild pigs, rusa deer, and barking deer or muntjacs share the serow's habitat. There may be some overlap in diet between serows and these animals.

Serows and Gorals and the Traditional Medicine Trade in Myanmar

Rachel Nuwer wrote in National Geographic: Caprinae, the family of hoofed animals that includes wild goats and sheep, encompasses about 40 species. According to a study ine early 2020s, body parts of wild goats and sheep — including eyes, tongues, heads, legs, and tails — are traded as medicinal products. Bottled ointments made from rendered fat and glands are also sold, while horns are marketed primarily as decorations. In addition, the animals’ meat is sold for food. . [Source: Rachel Nuwer, National Geographic, November 16, 2022]

Chris Shepherd, co-author of the study and executive director of Monitor, a nonprofit that works to reduce illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade, and colleagues focused on Myanmar, a geographic nexus for South, Southeast, and East Asia. The country is home to several species of wild goats and sheep, including the serow, goral, and takin, which are prohibited from hunting. Although little is known about the numbers and distribution of Myanmar’s goats and sheep, they’re all declining, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Hunters corroborate this, Shepherd says.

The researchers’ data stretch back more than 20 years, indicating that the trade isn’t new — but it has largely gone unnoticed. “Very few people have even heard of most of the species we’re looking at,” Shepherd says, adding that if left unchecked, poaching of these animals could "wipe them out” in Myanmar. Trade data for the new study came from a number of sources. From 1998 through 2017, Shepherd and Vincent Nijman, co-author of the study and a wildlife trade researcher at Oxford Brookes University, made 20 visits to four wildlife markets in Myanmar where they documented 1,041 wild sheep or goat parts or products. They estimated that these represented 35 blue sheep, 93 gorals, 810 serows, and 90 takins. (They also found parts from an some 13 Tibetan antelopes, another Caprinae species that is not native to Myanmar and is strictly prohibited from international trade.)

Most of what they saw was being sold as medicine — serow tongue for broken bones, for example, and serow oil for aching muscles and joints — or as trophies or talismans. On menus at about a dozen restaurants in Yangon, Mong La, and Golden Rock, they noted dishes advertised as wild sheep or goat.

In addition to carrying out their own surveys, the research team found reports about nine seizures of wild goat or sheep meat or parts by Burmese authorities at various locations from 2000 through 2020. They also sourced records from other conservation groups that had carried out market surveys in Myanmar. Taken as a whole, the work implicates nearly 1,700 wild sheep and goats in illegal trade — “and that’s just based on our limited research,” Shepherd says. The sleuthing also shows that the problem is especially pronounced in towns bordering China and Thailand. “The central government has very little control of some of these border areas, and that’s where illegal wildlife trade thrives,” Nijman says.

The estimated 1,243 serow — a species vulnerable to extinction — is a particularly alarming number, says Alice Hughes, a conservation biologist at the University of Hong Kong who was not involved in the research. “This shows hunting poses a considerable risk to the species,” she says, and at the same time, there’s “no real effort to prevent trafficking and trade, which is clearly needed.”

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: Animal Diversity Web animaldiversity.org ; National Geographic, Live Science, Natural History magazine, David Attenborough books, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian magazine, Discover magazine, The New Yorker, Time, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Lonely Planet Guides, Wikipedia, The Guardian, Top Secret Animal Attack Files website and various books and other publications.

Last updated April 2025