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The Saola, Vu Quang ox or Asian biocorn, also, infrequently, Vu Quang bovid (''Pseudoryx nghetinhensis''), is one of the world's rarest mammals, a forest-dwelling bovine found only in the Annamite Range of Vietnam and Laos. Related to cattle, goats, and antelopes, the species was defined following a discovery of remains in 1992 in Vũ Quang Nature Reserve by a joint survey of the Ministry of Forestry and the World Wide Fund for Nature. Saolas have since been kept in captivity multiple times, although only for short periods. A living saola in the wild was first photographed in 1999 by a camera trap set by WWF and the Vietnamese government’s Forest Protection Department (SFNC).〔 ("Saola sighting in Vietnam raises hopes for rare mammal's recovery: Long-horned ox photographed in forest in central Vietnam, 15 years after last sighting of threatened species in wild", ''The Guardian,'' (November 13 2013). )〕〔("Saola Rediscovered: Rare Photos of Elusive Species from Vietnam", World Wildlife Federation (February 13 2013). )〕 ==Description== An adult saola stands at about 80–90 cm at the shoulder, with its entire body length measuring around 150 cm (the tail measures an additional 25 cm) and weighs 90–100 kg (approx. 200-220 lbs.). Its hair is straight, short, and unusually soft for an animal partly adapted to a montane habitat, and is usually of a medium chocolate brown color (though some have been noted to contain variations of a reddish tone). Neck and belly are of a slightly paler shade, as well as various white markings scattered across its body, such as white patches on the feet, vertical stripes across the cheeks, and splotches on the nose and chin. A black dorsal strip extends from between the shoulders down and back to fade out into the top of the tail. The tail is tricolored, splitting evenly into three horizontal bands of medium brown, cream, and black, with the cream blending into the white band that extends across its rear. Saolas of both sexes possess a pair of slightly diverging horns that resemble the parallel wooden posts locally used to support a spinning wheel (thus the familiar name "spindlehorn").〔 These are generally dark-brown or black and about 35–50 cm long; twice the length of their head.〔 There appear to be no significant differences between the horns of males and females. The saola has round pupils with dark-brown irises and a cluster of white whiskers about 2 cm long with a presumably tactile function that protrude from the end of the chin. Its tongue can extend up to about 16 cm, with its upper surface covered in fine, backward-pointing barbs.〔 Saola skin is 1–2 mm thick over most of the body, but thickens to 5 mm near the nape of the neck and at the upper shoulders. This adaptation is thought to protect against both predators and rivals' horns during fights.〔("Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis) - Detailed information." ) www.ultimateungulate.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 April 2013〕 The saola possesses a pair of highly developed maxillary glands on either side of its snout, used in marking territory. Glands consist of rectangular shallow depressions of about 1.5 cm deep along the upper muzzle, covered by a muscular flap that can be raised about 3 cm to expose the gland. Scent glands are rubbed against the underside of vegetation, leaving a musky, pungent paste.〔 The saola's scent glands are thought to be the largest of any living mammal. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「saola」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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