Marsh Deer (Blastocerus dichotomus)

Marsh deer tend to live in pairs or small family groups of less than six individuals and are more widely distributed during the wet season when there is more suitable habitat available (2). Marsh deer remain hidden during the day and emerge at dusk and graze until early morning on a number of grasses and plants that are soft, protein rich and highly digestible (4) (5). Breeding generally occurs through the year, although further south, mating seems to take place between October and November. Gestation lasts for about eight months, with the females normally giving birth to a single fawn. The young are weaned at six months but remain with their mother for about a year. A female marsh deer is ready to mate again as soon as she has given birth and therefore may be pregnant throughout her breeding years (2) (4).

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