Reeves Muntjac
Muntiacus reevesi
CLASS: Mammalia
ORDER: Artiodactyla
FAMILY: Cervidae
SIZE:
Small slender deer with a head and body length of 31 - 39 inches. Tail length of 4 - 7 inches, shoulder height of 17 - 22 inches. Generally weigh 30 - 40 lbs.
RANGE:
West and Southeast Asia
HABITAT:
Dense forest and hilly ranges up to medium elevations (10,000 feet)
DIET:
Wild - Grasses, tender shoots and low growing leaves that they strip from the trees with their greatly elongated tongues. Never far from water source.
Zoo - Grain, lettuce, fruits, vegetables
DESCRIPTION:
Antlers present only in the male; they are twin-pronged with a max. Length of 4 - 5 inches; grow on a high pedicel or base of skin covered bone.
Distinctive canine teeth protrude from the upper jaw in males and can reach a length of 1.2 inches.
ADAPTATIONS:
Usually solitary; may associate in pairs
Active mainly at twilight and at night -- nocturnal
Voice -- when alarmed, or during mating season, muntjacs produce a bark-like noise (Nickname: Barking deer)
Coloration is good camouflage -- varies from deep brown to yellowish or grayish brown. Short, soft hairs cover the body except fo the ears that are almost bare.
YOUNG:
Gestation is about 6 months. Female delivers 1 - 2 young.
STATUS:
Not threatened; wild populations have been established in England and France.
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