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Thorold’s White-Lipped Deer
Przewalskium albirostris
Thorold’s white-lipped deer is among the largest species of deer, with males reaching up to 55 inches at the shoulder and weighing up to 500 pounds.
Range & Habitat
Hills, alpine regions, and forested mountains in the Tibetan Plateau.
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Vulnerable due to poaching.
Diet
In the Wild: Grasses.
At the Zoo: Herbivore pellets, alfalfa hay, and pasture grass.
Life Span
In the Wild: 16-18 years; In Human Care: Over 20 years.
Fun Facts about the Thorold’s White-Lipped Deer
- Thorold’s white-lipped deer are named for Dr. W. G. Thorold, who was the first person to procure this specimen in 1891 after Russian explorer N. M. Przewalski described them in 1883.
- As Thorold’s white-lipped deer walk, they produce a clicking sound with their hooves. This sound helps the herd to locate each other during heavy snowfall.
- The “white-lipped” part of their names comes from the white colored hair patches around their muzzles creating a white lip effect.
Sources
Ehler, P. (2002). Przewalskium albirostris (white-lipped deer). Retrieved May 26, 2020, from https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Przewalskium_albirostris/
White Lipped Deer. (2020). Retrieved May 26, 2020, from https://www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/animals-attractions/animals/white-lipped-deer/
WHITE-LIPPED DEER. (2014, February 20). Retrieved May 26, 2020, from http://www.tibetnature.net/en/white-lipped-deer/
Updated June 13, 2023
