Barasingha
is the one of the rarest species of deer family spread across central and
northern India only in small congregations. The deer is native to India and
Nepal. Barasingha are also known as swamp deer. It is much larger than most
of the deer but smaller than sambar deer, attain maturity in early ages,
weigh around 180 kg and height of about 130 cm. One of their unique features
for they are famous antlers, by the time they attain adulthood, develop more
than 12 points and attain lengths up to 75 cm. The antlers are also vary
from regions. For example in northern Indian Barasingha antlers have a
shiner and lighter appearance. Their life expectancy ranges between 20-30
years
They love to live in dry and wet swampy grasslands. For obvious reasons
their main diet is grass. They get them from vast grassland of central and
northern India. also they feed from the bed of wet swamps. During mating
season male body coloration become more of darker brown, coloration of male
body indicates that mating season have arrived. Long drawn out mating calls
also an indication from male to to female to mate. The breeding season of
the swamp deer during the winter months of November and December. They have
along gestation period of 6 months. Mother barasingha protect their baby
from predator by concealing them in tall grass. The animal has an acute
sense of smell and depend on their smelling capacity to sense any danger.
Size And Physical Characteristics
Barasingha is a medium sized deer. Adult barasingha can attain the height
of 130 cm and weigh up to 180 kg. Male barasinghas are little larger than
female, male has a dense brown coat on their body to make them warm and dry
in swampy habitat. Male also change coloration during onset of mating
season. Barasingha have special antlers, which can grow up to 75 cm long and
more than 12 points. During the summer the coat of barasingha lightens and
develop light spots on the back and lateral sides. They have slim tail of
whitish complexion.
Barasingha
In India
Dudhwa National Park - Dudhwa national park is located in the India
Nepal border of Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It covers an area 490 sq.km
and house a number of wildlifes ranges from swamp deer, chital, hog deer,
sambar and
rhinos. It is also a famous
tiger reserve and and a home of numerous
tigers. Barasingha is the main attraction in the park and a secure place for
other endangered species.
Kanha National Park -
Kanha
national park is located in Madhya Pradesh and a renowned place for
tigers. But the park’s major achievement is to saved nearly extinct
barasingha(swamps deers). It was a landmark achievement by preserve the
highly endangered barasingha. Once it only 66 of these in Kanha, but careful
conservation and management raised their population to over 400. You can
take
elephant safari and stroll around
the park. The best time to visit the place is within the months of April to
June and November to January.
Kaziranga National Park -
Kaziranga
national park is a world heritage site for its various wildlife.
Located in the green valley of Assam in north east India, the park is famous
for conservation of one horned rhinos and have made its name in world
conservation for rhinos. The park is also a home for many rare barasinghas.
Apart from barasinghas, wild buffaloes and wild boars are found. Also
Kaziranga is known for various avian populations.
Manas national Park -
Manas
is situated in Assam spread over an area of 391 sq km, earlier it was known
as North Kamrup is also gained the status of world heritage site. The place
is to see some royal Bengal tiger. The place is also a rare hard ground for
swamp deers(barasingha). Also only one national park ,which holds pride to
conserve highly endangered species of golden langur.
Facts About Barasingha
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Cervidae
Genus: Cervus
Size: Body length: 180 cm
Shoulder height: 119 - 124 cm
Weight: 170 - 289 kg
Status : Endangered
