# Axis porcinus The Axis porcinus, also known as the swamp deer, is a graceful animal that loves to live near water. They have beautiful reddish-brown fur with white spots, making them look like they are wearing a fancy coat! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Barasingha, Swamp Deer ![Axis porcinus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Axis_porcinus_-_Flickr_-_Lip_Kee_%281%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Lip Kee from Singapore, Republic of Singapore, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Axis_porcinus_-_Flickr_-_Lip_Kee_%281%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Axis porcinus is a small, stocky deer with short legs and a reddish-brown coat, often speckled with white spots in summer. Its distinctive low-slung, "hog-like" trot helps it navigate dense undergrowth, differing from other deer's graceful bounds. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Cervidae - **Genus:** Axis ## Interesting facts - Hog deer are amazing swimmers and can even dive underwater to hide from danger! - Their small, simple antlers are perfect for pushing through dense forests without getting tangled. - They're called 'Hog Deer' because they run with their heads low, like wild hogs charging! - Unlike many deer, they prefer to live alone, being one of the more solitary deer species. ## Special abilities - **Hog-like Sprint:** Axis porcinus can run with its head down like a wild hog, because this helps them burst through thick vegetation easily. - **River Crosser:** Axis porcinus is a strong swimmer that helps them cross wide rivers and escape predators by diving underwater. - **Camouflage Coat:** Axis porcinus has a speckled coat that helps them blend perfectly into the dappled light of their grassy habitats. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 105-115 cm - **Weight:** 30-70 kg - **Lifespan:** 8-15 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-2 - **Gestation:** 220-230 days ## Diet & Feeding They munch on fresh grasses, leaves, and other juicy plants found near water sources. - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Leaves, Shoots, Herbs, Aquatic plants - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Tiger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tiger) (*Panthera tigris*) — Apex predator hunting in shared habitats. - **Eaten by:** [Leopard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard) (*Panthera pardus*) — Common predator of deer, especially fawns. - **Eaten by:** [Dhole](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dhole) (*Cuon alpinus*) — Packs hunt deer in their forest homes. - **Eaten by:** Golden Jackal (*Canis aureus*) — Can prey on young or vulnerable Hog Deer. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Antlered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/antlered): Antlered describes animals possessing antlers, which are bony, branching growths found predominantly on male deer and related species. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch from a distance and do not approach wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Axis porcinus? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Axis porcinus? 105-115 cm ### How much does Axis porcinus weigh? 30-70 kg ### How long does Axis porcinus live? 8-15 years ### How fast can Axis porcinus move? 40 km/h ### What does Axis porcinus eat? They munch on fresh grasses, leaves, and other juicy plants found near water sources. ### Where is Axis porcinus usually found? Wetlands ### How does Axis porcinus hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Axis porcinus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/axis-porcinus)