Musk deer, being primarily forest animals, are never found in desert regions or in areas with a dense human population. Musk deer prefer dense vegetation, especially hills with rocky outcrops in coniferous, mixed or deciduous forests. In the morning and evening hours they leave their resting places, situated among rocks or fallen trees, in search of food. Their diet consists of leaves, flowers, young shoots and grasses, also of twigs, mosses and lichens, especially in winter. In captivity, they readily accept lettuce, carrots, potatoes, apples, rolled oats, hay and alfalfa.
Musk deer are solitary for most of the year.
During this period, males fight for the females, and their teeth can inflict deep, and sometimes deadly, wounds on their opponent's neck and back. During the weeks of courtship, the males eat little, they are very excited and cover large distances. After the rutting period they return to their original territories. Musk deer are strongly territorial. Within their home range they regularly use well established trails which connect feeding places, hiding places and the latrines where their droppings are deposited.