Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Cervidae
- Genus
- Rucervus
- Species
- eldii
- Subspecies
- eldii
Habitat
This deer primarily inhabits tall grasslands, swamps, and reed beds in the floodplains of northeastern India, particularly Manipur, as well as parts of Myanmar and Thailand. They prefer low-lying, wet areas with dense vegetation for cover and foraging. These habitats are often near rivers or lakes, providing both food and protection.
Diet
The Manipuri brow-antlered deer feeds mainly on grasses, aquatic plants, leaves, and shoots. They are grazers and browsers, often foraging in groups during dawn and dusk to avoid predators. Feeding behavior includes wading into shallow water to access vegetation.
Behavior
These deer are social, forming small herds of 5-10 individuals led by a dominant male, though they can also be solitary. They exhibit crepuscular activity patterns, being most active at dawn and dusk, and show territorial behavior during the mating season when males mark areas with scent glands. They are generally alert and quick to flee from threats, using their keen senses to detect danger.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the Manipuri brow-antlered deer is Endangered, with populations declining due to habitat loss from agriculture and poaching for meat and antlers. Major threats include human encroachment and fragmentation of wetland habitats.