Common muntjac

Muntiacus muntjak

A small deer with rather well-developed tusks of up to 25 cm long in the male deer. This species lives a solitary existence, although mates sometimes co-habit for a time. They defend a small territory which they mark with secretions from their scent glands. When something startles them, they send out a kind of bark warning of nearby danger.

 

This is considered a common species in most areas where it is found and has been introduced to different parts of the globe.

Natural habit

Native from rainforests and forests of southern Asia and its distribution area goes from India and southern Nepal to southern China, the whole continental region of Southeast Asia, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Common muntjac
  • Distribution / Resident
  • Breeding
  • Wintering
  • Subspecies

Risk level

  • Extint
  • Extint in the wild
  • Critically endangered
  • In Danger
  • Vulnerable
  • Near threatened
  • Minor concern
  • Insufficient data
  • Not evaluated
Least Concern

Taxonomy

Class
Mammalia
Order
Artiodactyla
Family
Cervidae

Physical characteristics

20-35 kg
Birth Weight: 1,2-1,5 kg
50-70 cm
Up to 17 years in captivity

Biology

Habitat
Jungle
Social life
Solitary
Feeding
Omnivorous

Reproduction

Gestation
208-214
Days
Baby
1

Discover how they are

Biology

Description

It is a small deer with tusk-like upper canine teeth. Males have small antlers, while females have bony knobs instead. Its coat is light brown, whitish on the belly, and a darker brown hue on the legs and face.

Habitat

Its habitat includes rainforests, monsoon forests, secondary forests, tropical forests and even open areas near the margin of forests. It prefers to remain close to the available water resources.

Feeding

It can be considered omnivorous. Although it mainly feeds on grass, leaves, roots, bark, fruits and seeds, it can also eat bird eggs and small animals it finds on the ground of rainforests. To hunt these little preys, the muntjac uses its canine teeth and limbs to hit them.

Reproduction

Both males and females are solitary and territory, and they only meet during their short oestrus.

 

Females reach sexual maturity before their first year and they can reproduce any time of the year. Calves separate from their mothers at six months.

Conduct

Unlike most deer, this species has a solitary behaviour and is active either during the day or at night. Also known as “barking deer”, it gives calls similar to barking, upon sensing a predator. It often barks in environments with little visibility due to dense vegetation. Due to its reduced size, it has many predators, such as leopards, tigers, clouded leopards, crocodiles and python snakes.

Status and conservation programs

It is considered a common species in most of its distribution area and has been introduced in many different parts of the world.