The Barasingha

Some of us know ‘bout Barasingha….but no one knows that they r among the top list of endangered species in INDIA!!

The Barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii / Cervus duvaucelii), also called swamp deer, is a deer species distributed in the Indian subcontinent. Populations in northern and central India are fragmented, and two isolated populations occur in southwestern Nepal. It is extinct in Pakistan and in Bangladesh.

It differs from all the Indian deer species in that the antlers carry more than three tines. Because of this distinctive character it is designated “barasingha” meaning "twelve-tined." Mature stags have 10 to 14 tines, and some have been known to have up to 20.

The Barasingha is a large deer. Its hair is rather woolly and yellowish brown above but paler below, with white spots along the spine. The throat, belly, inside of the thighs and beneath the tail is white. In summer the coat becomes bright rufous-brown. The neck is maned. Females are paler than males. Young are spotted. 

Swamp deer are mainly grazers. They largely feed on grasses and aquatic plants!

 They feed throughout the day with peaks during the mornings and late afternoons to evenings. In winter and monsoon, they drink water twice, and thrice or more in summer. In the hot season, they rest in the shade of trees during the day.