Japanese Serow: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Mountains and Deserts · day 5 of 7

Five facts

1. The serow is so sure-footed that it can leap from cliff to cliff. Hunters have compared its moves to a ninja's.
2. In Japanese, the word for falling also means failing an exam. So students buy lucky charms with a serow hoofprint, since serows don't fall.
3. Glands in front of its eyes make a sweet-and-sour-smelling liquid, which the serow rubs on trees to mark its patch of forest.
4. When it senses danger, the serow dashes away while giving a whistling snort.
5. In 1973 China gave Japan a giant panda, and Japan sent back two serows as a thank-you gift.

The quiz

1. Hunters have compared the serow's agility on cliffs to what?

• A samurai
• A ninja (correct)
• A monkey
• A squirrel

Its leaps from cliff to cliff reminded hunters of a ninja.

2. Why do Japanese students buy charms with a serow hoofprint?

• To make friends
• To win sports races
• To pass exams (correct)
• To stay warm in winter

The serow doesn't fall, and falling also means failing an exam in Japanese.

3. How does a serow mark its territory?

• By rubbing scent from glands near its eyes on trees (correct)
• By stamping its hooves loudly
• By scraping bark with its teeth
• By singing at dawn

It marks trees with sweet-and-sour-smelling scent from glands by its eyes.

4. What sound does a serow make when it flees danger?

• A loud roar
• A long howl
• A soft purr
• A whistling snort (correct)

It runs away with a whistling snort.

5. What did Japan send China in return for a giant panda in 1973?

• Two cranes
• Two snow monkeys
• Two Japanese serows (correct)
• Two red foxes

Japan returned the gift with two serows.

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