H: (Hyelaphus porcinus annamiticus)

Hog Deer

Hyelaphus porcinus annamiticus (http://www.arkive.org/hog-deer/axis-porcinus) (http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Hog+Deer&f=hp)
Hog Deer is a native of Cambodia. It is in fact a sub-species of the (Hyelaphus porcinus.) Here we have a handsome, strapping male stag, standing approximately 70cms to the shoulder. The female (hind) is smaller in comparison standing only at 60cms. They are both solidly built with long backs and comparatively short legs, unlike other breeds of deer. Their back-line gradually rises from the shoulders and up over their rump. Their ears are round in shape. The older deer are lighter in colour around their faces.

During the winter months their coats are brown to yellow colour, thick and woolly fur with a dark brown to yellow dorsal stripe, down the centre of their backs.  At the beginning of summer season, light brown spots appear on either side of the dorsal stripe from the shoulder to the point of their tail. Their tail's are brown with white long hairs at the tip which they use like a fan, this acts as a warning if a predator is close.

The male (stag) is only sociable during the mating season, otherwise they remain solitary darting off in different directions and rarely in a herd. When danger is close they give a whistling or barking sound. Males are aggressive and territorial, they mark their boundaries with glandular secretions and are always ready to defend their mate at any given time. Their young fauns are a light sand brown in colour and this species may not have spots when young.

These Hog Deer are almost extinct in certain regions and Cambodia. This is mainly due to the loss of wetlands because the land is being used for farming or building construction. Some of their main threats are hunting, lack of habitat and predators. These are another animal species red listed.