Deer is the Cervidae family of ruminanthoofed mammals allied to the Antelopes (differing in that the deer's horns - antlers - are shed annually, and the antelope's horns are permanent). They have lithe, but compact bodies and short tails. The legs are long and slender, and they have eight cutting teeth in the lower jaw and none in the upper. Deer are most commonly associated with possessing antlers, though a few species lack antlers. The antlers are bony outgrowths arising from the frontal bones, and in most species are borne only by the male - the Caribou being the exception. Deer are all excellent swimmers, and are widely hunted by man across the world for their meat (venison) and their skin which tans to a soft leather which has been used for clothing for centuries. Research Deer
The goat is a horned ruminantquadruped of the genus Capra. The horns are hollow, erect, turned backward, annular on the surface, and scabrous. The male is generally bearded under the chin. Goats are nearly of the size of sheep, but stronger, less timid, and more agile. They frequent rocks and mountains, and subsist on scanty coarse food. Their milk is sweet, nourishing, and medicinal, and their flesh furnishes food. Goats are of almost interminable variety, and it is not certainly known from which the domesitic goat is descended, though opinion favours the Capra cegagrus, or wild goat of Western Asia. Goats are generally subdivided into ibexes and goats proper. They are found in all parts of the world, and many varieties are valued for their hair or wool. The skin is prepared for a variety of purposes, and yields the leather known under the name of morocco. The Cashmere goat, as its name indicates, is a native of Cashmere; it is smaller than the common domestic goat, and has long, silky, fine hair. The Angora goat is also furnished with soft silky hair of a silver-white colour, hanging down in curling locks about 20 centimeters long. Its horns are in a spiral form, and extend laterally. The Rocky Mountain goat is the Haplocerus montanus, or big-horn. In Massachusetts, USA, it is illegal for a goat to wear trousers. Research Goat
A hoof is the horny casing of the foot of a ruminant, horse, swine or similar animals. Hooves may be regarded as homologues of the toe-nails of other animals. They are composed of epithelium cells, agglutinated and dried, and of intercellular substance and cell contents. Chemically they consist of keratin. Research Hoof
The musk-ox (Ovibos moschatus) is a ruminantanimal of the sub-family Caprinae intermediate between an ox and a sheep. It resembles a large goat-like sheep, its body is covered with a coat of thick, tufted brown hair, the male has wide horns flattened on the forehead.. It is an active and agile animal found in mountainous regions of ArcticAmerica. Research Musk-ox
The okapi (Okapia Johnstoni) is a ruminant of the giraffe family, although with much shorter legs and neck, found in the tropical rainforests of central Africa. Purplish brown with a creamy face and black and white stripes on the legs and hindquarters, it is excellently camouflaged. Okapis have remained virtually unchanged for millions of years. Research Okapi More pictures of Okapi
The pronghorn, prong buck or prong horn antelope (Antilocapra americana) is a ruminant mammal constituting the family Antilocapridae, native to the west USA. It is not a true antelope. It is light brown and stands about one metre high. It sheds its horns annually and can reach speeds of 100 kph. Research Pronghorn
Ruminant is the group (suborder Ruminantia) of even-toed hoofed mammals, including chevrotains, camels, deer, giraffes, the prong-buck and cattle, that have more than one stomach and chew the cud. Research Ruminant
Abbreviations
Research Abomasum
