The Barasingha (Cervus duvaucelii)
The name “barasingha” means “12-horned” in Hindu which reflects the fact that the barasingha has 12 tines. Actually, barasingha can have 10 to 15 tines and some males have been found to have up to 20 tines, with their antlers reaching 75 centimetres (the length of the longest antlers was 104 cm). The Latin name of this species commemorates Alfred Duvaucel, French naturalist of the XIX century. The shoulder height of an adult male is about 130 cm and weight ranges from 170 to 180 kilograms. The barasingha is found in central, northern and eastern regions of India, and also in Pakistan, Bangladesh, south of Nepal and eastern Iran. This deer inhabits swamplands and grasslands and its habitat preferences are responsible for its other name, “swamp deer”. The hooves with spreading toes help the barasingha to move through squishy ground. The barasingha forages in the morning and evening and rests during the day. The barasingha’s hearing is not well developed but this deer has perfect sense of smell. Barasinghas react to the threat by sharp screams that alert other members of the herd and make them run away. The breeding season starts in late December when the animals’ antlers are fully grown. At dusk and down, stags bugle and bark attracting females and scaring away other males. Sometimes they thrush their antlers into the grass and long clumps of grass hanging from the antlers look like specific decoration. The female separates from the herd before the birth of the fawn and comes back after the young deer gets stronger. Older young barasinghas band with other young of their age forming groups of 40 to 50 fawns. Later these groups join the herds of adult animals.
