The Serow primarily found in some of the various countries amongst the Asian continent such as Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, and Indonesia. The Serow prefers a mountainous geographic environment, preferably at higher altitudes in small packs of family or even sometimes by itself. The Serow is a pristine looking animal, as it is generally anywhere from three to six feet long weighing anywhere from 280 to 310 pounds. The best way to describe these furry mountainous creatures is to compare them to something similar to that of a goat. Serows range in a wide variety of colors as they can be pure white, brown, crimson, and even a purplish black color. The Serow has a feature that is representative of its coat, in which it has a collar that encircles its lower neck. The entire body of the Serow is engulfed in fur however, the nose is the only naked part as the rest of the body uses the warm coat during the winter time in the high altitudes to produce heat. Often times, Serows are compared to rams, due to the innate fact that the Serow has horns that can grow up to six inches. Serows generally rise early morning to find shelter or food such as acorns, leaves, and shoots, as these animals only eat vegetation. The Serow was often mocked as it seemed to be slow and clumsy, however, when scientists got a better understanding of them they noticed that they can climb extremely steep cliffs and rocky slopes with ease. They are often found in these high mountainous regions as an act of defense, they are extremely defensive for their kin as they travel in small groups. Aside from the environment, the Serow uses its viciously sharp horns as a ramming device when it feels as if it or its family is in harm.
The Serow is currently on the decline in terms of population, as it faces the wrath of human intervention in terms of deforestation and poaching. The essential problem the Serows face in regards to habitat destruction is the destructive slash-and-burn agricultural technique that is practiced within the mountainous region. Often times these destroy what valuable and precious land the Serows populate on, as the higher levels of the mountain are too cold for young kin. The Serow also faces the unfortunate common practice of poaching. Poachers kill Serows for their meat, and have also reported that they use the various parts of the body for medicinal purposes. They are often poached for their gorgeous horns, as they are considered of high value in local and underground trade in the various regions of Asia. Although poaching is illegal, and many conservation officers have ruled against the act of poaching these steadily declining creatures, often times many local hunters disregard the law, as the animal is worth more in their minds than possible fines or jail time.
A serow is caught walking around a Japanese village
