Hog Deer

These interesting deer are native to India, Indonesia, and Thailand.  The adults grow to be up to 28 inches tall, and the bucks can have antlers 24 inches long.  Their name reflects the nature of some of their looks and habits.  Hog deer have relatively short legs compared to their overall body size.  When they run, hog deer keep their heads low.  They will go under brush rather than jump it as most deer will do.  Being solitary animals, the bucks do not form harems.

Recently, we purchased a young breeding pair at an exotic wildlife auction.  Little to our knowledge, the doe was pregnant.  Since their body size is disproportionate, we did not even suspect she was pregnant.

Here are the Hog Deer just after we bought them. The buck is in velvet.

Their color darkens on their legs.

The young buck was not sure if he wanted to be visible.

Here is the surpise offspring... all of 8 inches tall!

The Gemsbok makes a good height reference for the Hog Deer. The Gemsbok is about 32-34 inches at the shoulders. The baby Hog Deer is just past him.

Sneaking out to see what they are eating.

This is definitely the smallest hooved offspring at the ranch.

The offspring is now a year old and almost as tall as the doe.

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Here are the Hog Deer just after we bought them. The buck is in velvet.