Reeves Muntjac
Muntiacus Reevesi
DESCRIPTION:
Small deer. 16" - 18" at shoulder, 30- 40 lbs., 40" long. Upper canine teeth are elongated into tusks, extend about 1 inch. Tusks can inflict painful wound. Males have single-tined antlers that grow on pedicels (hair covered bone structures.) Females have short pedicles. Well-developed senses of smell and hearing is an advantage in tall vegetation. Predators: Leopard, tiger, wolf, eagle, hyaena. Hunted for meat and hide.
RANGE:
East and Southeast Asia.
HABITAT:
Areas of dense vegetation.
LIFESPAN:
To 10 years.
REPRODUCTION/GESTATION:
6 months, on young (occasionally 2).
DIET:
Browsers, eat grasses, tender shoots, low-growing leaves which they strip from trees with elongated tongues. Like softwoods such as poplar, willow, and birch. Considered to be pests in some areas because of habit of stripping bark from trees. Feed at forest edges, sometimes invade field crops.
IN ZOO:
Spinach, herbivore, handful of alfalfa.
BEHAVIOR:
Solitary, pairs or small groups. Timid, hide in brush. Move cautiously, frequently pausing and standing still. When alarmed, emit a short, loud bark. Bark continues (at about 30 second intervals) until chase ends. Also bark in mating season.
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last revised September 29, 1998.