The rutting/ mating call of a Barasingha male

The Barasingha rutting call is heard during their mating season which is in the winter months. The rut (also known as the rutting period) is the mating season of ruminant animals such as deer, sheep, camel, goats, pronghorn and Asian and African antelope. The Barasingha OR Swamp deer differs from all the Indian deer species in that the antlers carry more than three tines. Because of this distinctive character it is designated barasingha, meaning “twelve-tined.“ Mature stags have 10 to 14 tines, and some have been known to have up to 20. Swamp deer are mainly grazers. They largely feed on grasses and aquatic plants. They feed throughout the day with peaks during the mornings and late afternoons to evenings. The difference in habitat of swamp deer has led to the development of two sub species, hard ground and soft ground barasingha. The one found in Kanha is the hard ground Barasingha. Barasingha is the state animal of Madhya Pradesh.