* Grasses: They prefer young, tender grasses, but will also eat mature grasses when necessary.
* Aquatic plants: They graze on aquatic plants in and around swamps and marshes, such as water lilies, reeds, and sedges.
* Fruits and seeds: They will also eat fallen fruits and seeds when available.
* Leaves and twigs: They may also browse on leaves and twigs from trees and shrubs, especially during the dry season when grasses are scarce.
Marsh deer are selective grazers and prefer to eat the most nutritious parts of plants. They are known to be particularly fond of grasses with high protein content. They also have a preference for plants growing in wet or marshy areas.
Their diet can vary depending on the season and the availability of food in their habitat. During the wet season, they have access to a wider variety of aquatic plants, while during the dry season, they rely more on grasses and browse.