The males have large canines, and a musk gland on the belly produces a highy aromatic scent that is undoubtedly associated with territorial defense. Lke musk deer they lack antlers, but males have tusks which are effective weapons used against rival males. They live on a diet of fruit and foliage, and are confined to the tropical forests of Asia and Africa. Each species of deer has architecturally distinctive antlers. Within species, antler shape also varies between individuals and shows clear age related size differences, particularly in the first few years of develpemnt.
Antlers are deciduous the are shed annually in almost species, and a new set is grown each year.
Because they grow as reapidly as cancerous tissue they are considerd to be a unique model for the study of organ growth.