Rucervus duvaucelii (G.Cuvier, 1823)

Species Classification

Barasingha, also called swamp deer with the scientific name Rucervus duvaucelii, is a large deer species.

Body Size

Its shoulder height ranges from 44 to 46 inches (110 to 120 cm), and its head-to-body length reaches nearly 6 feet (180 cm).

Base Coat Characteristics

Its coat is rather woolly, yellowish brown on the upper body and paler on the underparts, with white spots along the spine. The throat, belly, inner thighs and area beneath the tail are white.

Seasonal and Sexual Coat Variation

In summer, the coat shifts to a bright rufous-brown color. Males have a maned neck; females have paler coloration than males, and young individuals have spotted coats.

Antler Measurements

On average, barasingha antlers measure 30 inches (76 cm) along the curve, with a 5-inch (13 cm) girth at the mid beam. The record antler measured 104.1 cm (41.0 inches) along the curve.

Weight Range

Stags weigh 170 to 280 kg (370 to 620 lb), while lighter females weigh around 130 to 145 kg (287 to 320 lb). Large stags have been recorded weighing 210 to 260 kg (460 to 570 lb).

Historical Distribution

Before the 19th century, barasingha were common across many areas, including parts of the Upper Narmada Valley and southern Bastar.

Habitat Preferences

They inhabit flat or undulating grasslands, floodplains, and marshes, and typically stay on the outskirts of forests; they can also sometimes be found in open forest.

Mid-20th Century Population

In the 1960s, the total population was estimated at 1,600 to 2,150 individuals in India, with around 1,600 more in Nepal.

Population Decline Causes

Today, the species' distribution is further reduced and fragmented, following major population losses between the 1930s and 1960s caused by unregulated hunting and conversion of large areas of its habitat to cropland.

Nepal Distribution

In Nepal, barasingha are primarily found in the country's western regions south of the Himalayas, in Shuklaphanta and Bardiya National Parks.

Central Indian Distribution

Within India, barasingha occur in six localities in Uttar Pradesh, in Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, and have been observed just across the state border in Chhattisgarh near Dhamtari, which is likely the species' most southerly distribution extent.

Regional Extirpations

The species is regionally extinct in West Bengal, and is likely extirpated from Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Odisha.

Assam Distribution

A small number of barasingha still survive in Assam's Kaziranga and Manas National Parks.

Northernmost Population

In 2005, a small population of around 320 individuals was discovered in Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve in Haridwar district, Uttarakhand, on the east bank of the Ganges; this is likely the most northerly limit of the species.

Subspecies Recognition

Three subspecies of Rucervus duvaucelii are currently recognized.

Western Swamp Deer Classification

The nominate subspecies Western swamp deer, R. d. duvauceli, is the most abundant. This water-loving deer has splayed hooves and is adapted to the flooded grassland habitat of the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

Western Swamp Deer Population

In the early 1990s, the Indian population was estimated at 1,500–2,000 individuals, and Nepal's Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve held 1,500–1,900 individuals; the Shuklaphanta population reached 2,170 individuals including 385 fawns in spring 2013.

Southern Swamp Deer Adaptation

Southern swamp deer, also called hard ground swamp deer, R. d. branderi, has hard hooves and is adapted to hard ground in open sal forest with grass understorey.

Southern Swamp Deer Distribution

It survives only in Kanha National Park, west of Chhattisgarh and east of Madhya Pradesh. It was reintroduced to Satpura Tiger Reserve.

Southern Swamp Deer Population

The population numbered around 500 individuals in 1988, an estimated 300–350 individuals at the turn of the 21st century, and 750 individuals in 2016.

Eastern Swamp Deer Population

Eastern swamp deer R. d. ranjitsinhi occurs only in Assam; the population numbered around 700 individuals in 1978, and an estimated 400–500 individuals were in Kaziranga National Park at the turn of the 21st century. After a 2021 census, 868 individuals were estimated in Kaziranga, with an additional 121 in Manas National Park.

Diet Composition

Barasingha are mainly grazers, feeding largely on grasses and aquatic plants, most commonly Saccharum, Imperata cylindrica, Narenga porphyrocoma, Phragmites karka, Oryza rufipogon, Hygroryza and Hydrilla.

Feeding Patterns

They feed throughout the day, with feeding peaks in the mornings and late afternoons through evenings.

Drinking Frequency

In winter and monsoon seasons, they drink water twice a day, and drink three or more times a day in summer.

Hot Season Behavior

During the hot season, they rest in the shade of trees during the day.

Herd Structure

In central India, herds average 8–20 individuals, and can reach up to 60 individuals. Herds contain twice as many females as males.

Rutting Behavior

During the rutting season, adult barasingha form large herds.

Breeding Cycle

The breeding season lasts from September to April. Births occur after a 240–250 day gestation, between August and November, with a peak in September and October in Kanha National Park.

Calving

Barasingha give birth to single calves.

Alarm Behavior

When alarmed, they produce shrill, baying alarm calls.

Grazing Vigilance

Compared to other deer species, barasingha are less vigilant while grazing: they keep fewer sentries and spend most of their time grazing, unlike species such as spotted deer or sambar deer.