Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Cervidae
- Genus
- Hyelaphus
Habitat
They primarily inhabit grasslands, forests, and mangrove areas on the Calamian Islands in the Philippines. These deer prefer lowland regions and areas near water sources, avoiding dense upland forests.
Diet
Calamian hog deer feed mainly on grasses, leaves, fruits, and aquatic plants. They are grazers and browsers, often foraging at dawn and dusk to avoid predators.
Behavior
They are primarily nocturnal, resting in dense cover during the day and becoming active at night. Socially, they live in small groups or solitarily, with males exhibiting territorial behavior during the mating season by marking areas with scent glands.
Conservation Status
The IUCN lists the Calamian hog deer as Endangered, with populations declining due to habitat loss and hunting. Major threats include deforestation for agriculture and illegal poaching.