The Bawean Deer (Hyelaphus kuhlii) is also commonly referred to as Kuhl’s Deer or the Bawean Hog Deer. This species is very threatened, and can only be found on a single island in Indonesia.
Bawean Deer Appearance
The Bawean or Kuhl’s deer is very similar in appearance to the Hog Deer.
Many scientists consider it to be a subspecies of the Hog Deer rather than a separate species. The main difference between it and the Indian Hog Deer are that it has a smaller head. The legs are also shorter in length.
Kuhl’s Deer have a dark brown coat with white markings underneath its chin and throat.
The tail is long and bushy with a white underside.
The antlers on Hyelaphus kuhlii are similar to those seen in the Hog Deer and typically have three tines. The Bawean Hog Deer’s antlers do not grow as long as those of the Indian Hog Deer.
Range & Habitat
Hyelaphus kuhlii are found only on the Indonesian island of Bawean where they have a small population. They are threatened because of habitat loss, and the forests they live in are rapidly disappearing as residents of their island clear woodlands to make way for new farms.
Mating Behavior in Hyelaphus kuhlii
Rutting takes place between September and October for this type of deer, and a single calf is born after a gestation period of 180 to 200 days (typically the following April or May).
Habits & Behavior
The Bawean Deer is a shy secretive creature, which is nocturnal in habit. It lives alone for most of the year and tends not to like to group as part of a herd, but you can sometimes observe Hyelaphus kuhlii traveling and living in pairs.
