Barking Deer / Kakad / Muntjac
This shy and elusive member of the deer family is spread
across all the dense jungles of India. It has been named after
its call, which bears a striking resemblance to the bark of dog.
These animals grow to a height of 50 - 75 cms and weigh 20 -30
kgs. They have a life expectancy of between 20 - 30 years.
They mostly live in solitude and are only very rarely seen in numbers
exceeding two. Due to their low height and small stature, their main diet
consists of grass and fallen fruits. They rarely venture out into
open grasslands and are mostly seen feeding near the edge of dense forests.
They can also be frequently seen at salt licks like the one shown
in the picture below. They are mostly diurnal in habit but it is close to
impossible to see them at night due to their dense habitat areas. Their alarm
call, unless endlessly repeated, is not taken seriously as an
indication of the presence of a predator. They are easily startled
by any movement.
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