BARKING DEER

 BARKING DEER 

Local name : Bhenkadu, Bhekhar, Kakar 

Physical measurement & life cycle : 

Weight          : 18-25 kg 

Height           : 50-70 cm 

Antler size   : 10-13 cm   

Gestation    : 6 months 

Litter size   : 2

Life span       : 15-20 years 

Breeding     : It breeds round the year. However, winter is the peak breeding season.  

Description :

It is an animal of deer family that is dark red or reddish brown in colour. Males have small bifurcated antlers. 

 Food :

 Herbivorous. It feeds on leaves, grass and fruits.

Distribution  

It is recorded in Shoolpaneswar sanctuary and in the forests of Panchmahals, Dangs and Vyara. 

Habitat 

Dense forests. 

Behaviour

: Diurnal. Its call resembles barking of a dog and hence the name. It is a very shy animal that is usually seen singly or in pairs. It gives out barks that resemble barking of dogs. On suspecting a danger, it runs away fearfully barking continuously.  

Signs of presence 

Shed out antlers etc.

The barking deer prefers thickly wooded hills. Like other smaller deer and unl larger species of deer, this species is far less gregarious. It is also known as Muntias that occurs in countries like China and Japan apart from India. If it occurs in a smal family group, the stag assumes the leadership role and the female and her fawn/yearling follow the stag.