Marsh deer
Blastocerus dichotomus
ok. 110 cmAdult male
at the shoulder
at the shoulder
- Mass
- 89–125 kgZakres gatunku
Marsh deer — size comparison
The marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) is the largest deer in South America. It inhabits marshes, flooded savannas, reed beds and riverbanks in the central par
Silhouette comparison
Height
Ground barkReference values · details in the profiles
HeightScale in m
00,511,5
approx. 110 cm
The scale compares the named dimensions. View direction and measurement points are given for each animal.
Marsh deer — size comparison — facts and sources
The marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) is the largest deer in South America. It inhabits marshes, flooded savannas, reed beds and riverbanks in the central part of the continent. Its reddish coat contrasts with dark lower legs and a band on the muzzle. Males carry branched antlers.
It eats grasses, aquatic plants, leaves and legumes. Broad hooves joined by a flexible membrane help distribute pressure on soft ground. This lets it use feeding grounds that are difficult for many other large herbivores to access.
It usually lives alone or in small groups. Draining floodplains and cutting them off from rivers reduce its feeding grounds and opportunities to move between them.
Animal Diversity Web podaje 100–120 cm w barku oraz 89–125 kg. Plansza używa środka zakresu, 110 cm; poroże i uszy nie wpływają na skalę.