Home › Mammalia › Cervidae › Marsh Deer (Blastocerus dichotomus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Marsh Deer (Blastocerus dichotomus)
Blastocerus
IUCN STATUS
Vulnerable
CONSERVATION STATUS
Vulnerable
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Central South America wetlands
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Wetlands and flooded grassland
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Artiodactyla
FAMILY
Cervidae
GENUS
Blastocerus
📋 Description
SIZE
Up to 1.2 m at shoulder; 80-125 kg
COLORATION
Reddish coat with black lower legs
ADAPTATIONS
Splayed hooves with webbing for walking on soft marsh
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Wetlands and flooded grassland
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Central South America wetlands
REPRODUCTION
Single fawn
DIET DETAILS
Aquatic plants and grasses
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Wetland drainage, dams, disease
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The largest deer in South America, at home wading through Pantanal marshes.
2
Its wide hooves stop it sinking in the soft wetland mud.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Pantanal
Ibera Wetlands
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
June-October
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Scan flooded grassland and marsh edges at dawn; the largest South American deer wades in shallow water.
