The Swamp Deer-Barasingha
Barasingha is a dear species with conspicuously large antlers. Overall, this mammal has as much as 12 antlers. In fact, the name of this species has Hindi origin and means '12-antlered deer'. Barasingha is nowadays among the most vulnerable deer species not only in the Indian Peninsula, but also throughout the world.
Fun facts
The wetland subspecies of Barasingha generally consumes aquatic vegetation. In order to get to their meal, these animals dip their head in the water.
Males of this species are commonly known as 'bucks'. Meanwhile, large males are called 'stags'.
Female Barasinghas are known as 'does' and offspring are called 'fawns'.
Newborn babies of this species exhibit spots on their body, which help them to escape predators by camouflaging in the grass. However, this color pattern gradually disappears by 1 year old.
Antlers of these animals are extension of their bones. When antlers of a young deer emerge, they are usually covered in a layer of 'felt', which has blood vessels in it. When this felt dries, young males remove it and expose their antlers. They get rid of the felt by rubbing against tree bark.
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