ADW: Muntiacus muntjak: INFORMATION scrub forest Physical Description Muntiacus muntjak, also known as the Indian muntjac, have small antlers present in males which are relatively short with long burrs. The females have tufts of hair and small bony knobs that are in the location of the antlers in males. They have a short coat of hair. The coat can be thick and dense for those living in cooler climates, or thin and less dense for those living in warmer areas. The color of the coat is golden tan on the dorsal side, white on the ventral side, and the limbs and face are dark brown. The ears have very little hair. These deer also posses tusklike upper canines measuring about 1 inch long in males. Their body length ranges from 89-135 cm. Their shoulder height and the length of their tail ranges from 40-65 cm and 13-23 cm respectively. The males tend to be larger than the females. Other Physical Features Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research Behavior The common name of this Muntjac is the barking deer.

When they sense the presence of a predator, they emit sounds that sound like a dog barking. They may bark for more than an hour to make a predator show itself or leave the area. The muntjac may bark more frequently when its ability to see its surroundings is reduced as a result of the evironment. The adult male and female muntjacs are solitary. During the rut their home ranges overlap for a short period. The young leaves the mothers territory when it is just about six months old, after which it must fight for its own territory. Sometimes the adult muntjac allows another indiviual in its territory. However, the other animal must be a male without complete antlers. These males are not aggressive nor are they ready to mate. They also display both diurnal and nocturnal activity. Key Behaviors chemical Food Habits Muntjacs are omnivorous, feeding on herbs, fruit, birds' eggs, small animals, sprouts, seeds, and grasses. They use their canines to bite and their forelegs to deliver strong blows in order to catch small warm-blooded animals.

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive Hunters of pheasants in India can rely on the barking noises made by the muntjac as a warning signal of an approaching predator. This could be a leopard or tiger which in turn can pose a threat to the hunters themselves. The muntjac itself can be hunted for its meat and skins. Economic Importance for Humans: Negative In some areas, where the population is large, they destroy a large number of trees by tearing off the bark. This in turn can lead to a loss of food sources as well as a loss of wood that can be used to provide shelter. Conservation Status A study done in 1987 showed that there are 140,000-150,000 Muntiacus muntjak in China. They have been introduced in Texas, the Andaman Islands, and on Lombok. Muntjaks also thrive very well in zoos. The IUCN rates the species Lower Risk, Least Concern. No special status Other Comments The Indian muntjac falls into the subgroup of the deer family that have plesiometacarpals.

In this group the only the upper parts of the second and fifth digit metacarpals are present in the foreleg. Some of their predators include pythons, jackals, tigers, leopards, and crocodiles. Contributors Adria Jackson (author), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Phil Myers (editor), Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Glossary bilateral symmetry having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria. chemical uses touch to communicate tropical savanna and grassland A terrestrial biome. Savannas are grasslands with scattered individual trees that do not form a closed canopy. Extensive savannas are found in parts of subtropical and tropical Africa and South America, and in Australia. savanna A grassland with scattered trees or scattered clumps of trees, a type of community intermediate between grassland and forest. See also Tropical savanna and grassland biome. temperate grassland A terrestrial biome found in temperate latitudes (>23.5° N or S latitude).

Vegetation is made up mostly of grasses, the height and species diversity of which depend largely on the amount of moisture available. Fire and grazing are important in the long-term maintenance of grasslands. References Grzimek, D., D. Badrian, D. Herre, R. Hess, M. Jones. 1990. Grzimek's Enclopedia of Mammals (vol.5). New York, St. Louis, San Francisco: McGraw-Hill Publishing Company. Walker, E., R. Nowak. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Baltimore and London: The Johns Hopkins University Press. Reeves's Muntjac Wolong Trail, Asian Forest Fun Facts: Muntjacs make a sharp barking sound as their alarm call, which has given them the nickname of “barking deer.” This sound is also common during their breeding season. There are 11 species of muntjac. Muntjacs are the oldest known deer species; fossil remains date to 15 to 35 million years ago. Muntjacs have excellent hearing and eyesight.

Reeves's Muntjac Photos Size Length is 31.5 to 39 inches; height is 15.8 to 17.7 inches; weight is 24 to 35 pounds (11 to 16 kilograms). Range Found in deciduous forests of southern China and Taiwan, muntjacs are also found in the southern portion of Great Britain due to human introduction. Habitat Reeves’s muntjacs require large amounts of cover and are found in temperate to tropical deciduous forests, usually near a water source. Muntjacs make their homes out of large broken branches. Lifestyle Muntjacs are mainly crepuscular animals, active at dawn and dusk, but have also been seen being active at night. Both males and females are solitary and territorial. They defend their own territory from others, but sometimes male territories will overlap with a number of female territories. They scent-mark their territories with secretions form their preorbital glands. Usually they stay under covered vegetation. Males have canines that can grow up to 1 inch long and small antlers that are shed annually. Males primarily use their canines to fight others, but antlers can also be used.

Antlers are used to push an opponent off-balance, and then canine teeth are used to wound. Females do not have antlers, but they do have short bony knobs on their heads. Females do have canines, but theirs are smaller than males’. Food Muntjacs are herbivores, with their diet consisting of grasses, leaves, tender shoots, sprouts, fruits, barriers, seeds and tree bark. Life Cycle Muntjacs are sexually mature between 6 and 12 months. Their main breeding periods are January through March, but can take place throughout the year. Males normally mate with females near their own territories. Gestation period lasts seven months. Females give birth to one and sometimes two young. At birth, young muntjacs weigh only about 19.4 to 23.8 ounces. They are usually born in dense jungle growth and are born with white spots that act as camouflage. Females will leave their young in thick vegetation when they go off to feed. The young are weaned around 2 months of age and kicked out on their own shortly before their mothers are due to give birth again. Muntjacs can live up to 17 years.

Some of My Neighbors (IN THE WILD) leopards, tigers, dholes (Asiatic wild dog), jackals, crocodiles, pythons Population Status & Threats Muntjac deer Muntjac deer Muntjac deer Appearance Bucks (males) grow to 44 - 52cm at the shoulder and weigh 10 - 18kg. Does (females) are 43 - 52cm at the shoulder and weigh 9 - 16kg. Reeves’ muntjac are small, stocky and russet brown in colour in summer and grey/brown in winter. Bucks have short (10 cm) antlers growing from long pedicles. Antlers are usually unbranched but a very short brow tine is occasionally found in old bucks. They also have visible upper canines (tusks) suggesting that they are a primitive species. Muntjac have two pairs of large glands on the face. The upper pair are the frontal glands, whilst the lower glands, below the eyes, are called sub-orbitals. Both glands are used to mark territories and boundaries.

They have a ginger forehead with pronounced black lines running up the pedicles in bucks, and a dark diamond shape on does. The haunches are higher than the withers giving a hunched appearance. They have a fairly wide tail, which is held erect when disturbed. History, distribution & habitat Muntjac were brought from China to Woburn Park in Bedfordshire in the early 20th century. They are now widespread and increasing in number and range. Deliberate releases and escapes from Woburn, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire led to the establishment of feral populations. Movement and release by humans led to their rapid spread across south and central England and Wales, however, north of the Humber distribution is patchy but reaches close to the Scottish border. Muntjac like deciduous or coniferous forests, preferably with a diverse understorey. They are also found in scrub and overgrown urban gardens. Unlike other species of deer in Britain, muntjac do not cause significant damage to agricultural or timber crops. However, high densities may prevent coppice regeneration and the loss of some plants of conservation importance, such as primulas.

Muntjac trophy hunting has only recently become popular so there is little tradition of muntjac stalking on country and forest estates. The most significant direct economic impact that muntjac have on human interests is in collisions with cars. However, this has welfare as well as economic implications. Breeding, behaviour & lifecycle In contrast to all other species of deer in Britain, muntjac do not have a defined breeding season (rut). Instead, they breed all year round and the does can conceive again within days of giving birth. Bucks may fight for access to does but remain unusually tolerant of subordinate males within their vicinity. Does are capable of breeding at seven months old. After a gestation period of seven months they give birth to a single kid and are ready to mate again within a few days. Bucks can live up to 16 years and does up to 19 years, but these are exceptional. Muntjac are generally solitary or found in pairs (doe with kid or buck with doe) although pair-bonding does not occur. Bucks defend small exclusive territories against other bucks whereas does' territories overlap with each other and with several bucks.

They are known as ‘barking deer’ from the repeated loud bark given under a number of circumstances. An alarmed muntjac may scream whereas maternal does and kids squeak. Muntjac are active throughout the 24-hour period but make more use of open spaces during the hours of darkness in populations subject to frequent disturbance. Peak activity is at dawn and dusk. Long periods are spent ‘lying up’, where the deer lies down to ruminate after feeding. Deer Information - Red, Fallow, Muntjac & Roe Facts Image Source In all deer species (except the reindeer), only the male has antlers. Antlers are shed each Spring and immediately a new set starts to grow, taking 16 weeks to reach full size in August. Antlers are made of a type of dense and very solid bone and whilst growing they are covered with a hairy skin called ‘velvet’ which is shed when the antlers have reached their full size for that year. The buck or stag uses his antlers to fight other males during the mating season, known as the rut, which lasts for three weeks in October. The ‘rut’ is the period of time when antlered ungulates mate.

During the rut (also known as the rutting period), male ungulates often rub their antlers or horns on trees or shrubs, fight with each other and pursue estrus females by their scent. Fallow Deer Fallow deer (Dama dama) is a ruminant mammal belonging to the family Cervidae. They are now found throughout much of England and parts of Wales and locally in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Fallow deer were probably first brought to England by the Romans, however, the main introduction was by the Normans in the eleventh century for hunting purposes. Today, Fallow deer are easily tamed and are increasing in number and distributing slowly throughout the parks and forests of Britain. There are now more deer in the South East today than there were 500 years ago. The Fallow deer was a native of most of Europe during the last Interglacial. The population of Fallow deer pre-breeding season is estimated to be 128,000. Fallow Deer Description Male fallow deer (bucks) have ‘palmate’ antlers – a wider and flatter spread with less distinct tines than the red deer, these are broad and shaped like a shovel.

Female fallow deer (does) do not have antlers. Young fallow deer are called ‘fawns’. Bucks measure around 140 – 160 centimetres in length, 90 – 100 centimetres in shoulder height and weigh around 60 – 85 kilograms. Does measure 130 – 150 centimetres in length, have a shoulder height of 75 – 85 centimetres and weigh 30 – 50 kilograms. Fawns are born in springtime and measure around 30 centimetres in height and weigh around 4.5 kilograms. Fallow deer are very variable in colour, with four main varieties, ‘common’, ‘menil’, ‘melanistic’ and ‘albinistic’. The common form has a bright chestnut coat with white mottles that are most pronounced in summer with a much darker, drab grey-brown coat in the winter. The albinistic is the lightest coloured, almost white. Common and menil are darker and melanistic is very dark, even black. ADVERTISEMENT Most herds consist of the common form but have menil form and melanistic form animals amongst them.

Fallow deer have yellow-white undersides, white spots and a black line that runs along the back to the tip of the tail. The spots become less prominent or disappear completely in winter. Fallow Deer Habitats Fallow deer are grazing animals. Their preferred habitat is mixed woodland and open grassland. Fallow deer typically occupy deciduous woodland with open patches. They are also kept semi-domesticated in parks. Fallow Deer Diet Fallow deer are grazers and pure vegetarians/herbivores. Their diet consists of grass, young shoots, leaves, bark, heather, sweet chestnuts, acorns, cereals, herbs, berries and acorns. Fallow Deer Behaviour During the rut, bucks will spread out and females move between them, at this time of year fallow deer are relatively ungrouped compared to the rest of the year when they try to stay together in groups of up to 150 individuals. Fallow Deer Reproduction When competing for access to females, males ‘display’ by groaning, thrashing their antlers and by walking alongside their opponent. Fighting occurs if both stags are evenly matched and involves wrestling and clashing of antlers.

Does give birth to a single fawn after a gestation period of 31 – 32 weeks (around 8 months). The Fallow doe usually leaves the herd to search for a private hiding place to give birth. After the fawn is born, usually in May or June, it remains in its hiding place (in bushes or undergrowth). The doe returns every four hours to feed it until it is about four months old, when it joins the herd. The fawn is weaned after 7 – 9 months. The life span of the Fallow deer is about 12 – 16 years. Fallow Deer Conservation Status The Persian fallow deer (Dama dama mesopotamica) is classified as Endangered, however, other subspecies are not considered to be at threat. Muntjac Deer Muntjac deer (Muntiacus reevesi), also known as Reeves Muntjac, Chinese Muntjac and Barking Deer, belong to the genus Muntiacus. Muntjac are the oldest known deer, appearing 15 – 35 million years ago, with remains found in Miocene deposits in France and Germany.

Introduced into Britain from China in 1900, many escaped from their private estates and are now well established in southern England, where they colonize woodland and dense scrubland. Muntjac deer were introduced to Woburn Park, Bedfordshire and to parks in Hertfordshire and Northamptonshire. Muntjac deer are of great interest in evolutionary studies because of their dramatic chromosome variations and the recent discovery of new species. The pre-breeding season population of Muntjac deer is estimated 128,000 and increasing. Muntjac Deer Description The males, or bucks, have short backward curving antlers (maximum length 15 centimetres) which are shed in May or June and re-grow to full size by October or November. These are not used as weapons, however, the elongated, protruding tusk-like teeth of the male can be used for this purpose. In common with all deer species except the reindeer, the female muntjac deer do not have antlers, they have tufts of hair in place of antlers. Female Muntjac Deer have tusks, however, these are shorter than the males.

Males also have a V-shaped marking running from their forehead to their nose. The Muntjac deers body length can measure up to 90 centimetres in length, about the same size as an adult fox. They have a shoulder height of 45 – 52 centimetres and weigh around 12 – 15 kilograms. Muntjacs are small deer, with dark red-brown fur and white patches on the chin, throat and rump. Muntjac Deer Habitats The Muntjac deers preferred habitats are Woodland, scrub and undisturbed gardens. Muntjac Deer Diet Muntjac deers are browsing mammals and feed on shrubs, shoots, grass, fruit and shoots. They sometimes cause damage by stripping bark from trees. Muntjac Deer Behaviour Active by day or night, muntjac deer are mostly seen at dusk. They utter loud barks over prolonged periods and equally loud distress calls. They are mainly solitary animals, however, they may be seen in family groups. Muntjac Deer Reproduction Muntjac deer have no seasonal rut and mating can take place at any time of year. However, this behaviour is retained by populations introduced to temperate countries.

The gestation period is 210 days and the fawn is weaned after 8 weeks. Muntjac deer have a life span of up to 19 years. Muntjac Deer Conservation Status This species of Muntjac deer is not considered to be endangered. Red Deer Red deer (Cervus elaphus), commonly called ‘hart’ in the United Kingdom, are Britain’s largest native land mammal and, together with the roe deer, are our only native deer species. All other deer species have been introduced. A male red deer is called a ‘Stag’ and a female Red deer is called a ‘Hind’. Although red deer are native to Britain, they can be found in many other parts of the world. The Red Deer inhabits most of Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, Asia Minor and parts of western and central Asia. It also inhabits the Atlas Mountains region between Algeria and Tunisia in northwestern Africa, being the only species of deer to inhabit Africa. Red Deer have been introduced to other areas including New Zealand and Argentina. In many parts of the world the meat (venison) from Red Deer is widely used as a food source.

Although at one time Red Deer were rare in some areas, they were never close to extinction. Reintroduction and conservation efforts, especially in the United Kingdom, have resulted in an increase of Red Deer populations, while other areas, such as North Africa, have continued to show a population decline. In Britain the pre-breeding season population is estimated to be 316,000. Red Deer Description Red Deer are ruminants, characterized by an even number of toes on each hoof and a four-chambered stomach.The average male red deer has a body length of 210 centimetres, a shoulder height of 120 centimetres and weighs 295 kilograms (650 pounds). A female Red deer is slightly smaller and more lightly built, measuring 107 centimetres at shoulder height. A stag reaches its maximum size at the age of 6 – 7 years. Red Deer tend to be reddish-brown in their summer coats. Male Red deer grow branching antlers and have long neck hair in their winter coat. The male deer of the British Isles and Norway tend to have the thickest and most noticeable neck manes, compared to the other subspecies.

Male deer of all subspecies, however, tend to have stronger and thicker neck muscles than female deer, which may give them an appearance of having neck manes. During the autumn, all Red Deer subspecies grow a thicker coat of hair which helps to insulate them during the winter. Autumn is also when some of the stags grow their neck manes. By the time summer begins, the heavy winter coat has been shed. The Red deers are known to rub against trees and other objects to help remove hair from their bodies. Red Deer have different colouration based on the seasons and types of habitats, with grey or lighter colouration prevalent in the winter and a more reddish and darker coat in the summer. Only the stags have antlers which start growing in the spring and are shed each year, usually at the end of winter. Antlers are made of bone which can grow at a rate of 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) a day. A soft covering known as ‘velvet’ helps to protect newly forming antlers in the spring. Red Deer Habitats The Red deer is essentially a forest animal, but mainly found in Britain on the moorlands of Scotland and Devon.

Red Deer in Britain generally spend their winters in lower altitudes and more wooded terrain. Red Deer Diet Being a ruminant animal, the Red deer eats its food in two stages similar to camels, goats and cattle. The animal digests plant-based food by initially softening it within the its first stomach, known as the rumen, then regurgitating the semi-digested mass, now known as cud, and chewing it again. The process of again chewing the cud to further break down plant matter and stimulate digestion is called ‘ruminating’. The Red deers main diet is grass, young heather shoots, moss, young leaves, shoots of trees and in the winter they will strip bark from trees. Red Deer Behaviour During the summer, red deer migrate to higher elevations where food supplies are greater for the calving season. Red deer are active both day and night, however, activity peaks at dawn and dusk. Red Deer Reproduction The gestation period for the female Red deer is 9 months (33 – 34 weeks). A single calf is born (very rarely twins) in May or June and lies hidden in the undergrowth, well camouflaged.

The calf is weaned after 9 – 12 months and reaches sexual maturity after one and a half years. The life span of a red deer is 25 years. Red Deer Conservation Status Red deer are not considered to be endangered in the UK, and in some areas, they are over-populated and may be culled. Other red deer subspecies are listed on the 2000 Red List. Shous (C.e.affinis) MacNeill’s red deer (C.e. macneilli) Tibetan red deer (C.e. wallichi) are classified as Data Deficient. Atlas deer (C.e. barbarus) are classified as Lower Risk. Bactrian deer (C.e. bactrianus) are listed as Vulnerable. Corsican red deer (C.e. corsicanus) Kashmir red deer (C.e. hanglu) Yarkand deer (C.e. yarkandensis) are listed as Endangered. Roe Deer Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), became extinct in most of England during the 18th century, however, during the 19th century they were reintroduced.

Before 1960 they were treated as vermin due to the damage they cause to the forestry industry. Roe deer are found throughout Europe, but they are absent from Ireland, much of Portugal, Greece and large parts of England and Wales. They also inhabit Asia. Sightings of Roe deer have become more common in back gardens in outer suburbs. One of the latest sightings of Roe deer was in a back garden in Brentwood, Essex. The Roe Deer is quite a small deer, with a body length of 95 – 135 centimetres (3.1 – 4.4 feet), a shoulder height of 65 – 75 centimetres (2.1 – 2.5 feet) and weighing 15 – 30 kilograms (33 – 66 pounds). The Roe Deer has rather short, erect antlers and a reddish body with a grey face. Its hide is golden red in summer, darkening to brown or even black in winter, with lighter undersides and a white rump patch. The Roe Deers tail is very short (2 – 3 centimetres (0.8 – 1.2 inches) and barely visible.

Only the males have antlers, which are lost during winter, but which re-grow in time for the mating season. The first and second set of antlers are unbranched and short (5 – 12 centimetres (2 – 4.7 inches), while older bucks in good conditions develop antlers up to 20 – 25 centimetres (8 – 10 inches) long with 2 or 3, rarely even four, points. When the males antlers begin to regrow, they are covered in a thin layer of velvet-like fur which disappears later, after the hairs blood supply is lost. Males may speed up the process by rubbing their antlers on trees, so that their antlers are hard and stiff for the duels during the mating season. Roe Deer are the only type of deer that can regrow their antlers during winter. When alarmed, a Roe deer will bark a sound much like a dog and flash out its white rump patch. Rump patches differ between male and female, with the white rump patches heart-shaped on females and kidney-shaped on males.

Roe Deer Habitats The Roe Deer is primarily crepuscular (animals that are primarily active during twilight, at dawn and at dusk). Roe deer are very quick and graceful, living in woods, although it may venture to grasslands and sparse forests. They prefer woodland, particularly with open patches of ground and with access to the edges of fields. Roe Deer Diet Roe deer feed mainly on grass, leaves, berries and young shoots. It particularly likes very young, tender grass with a high moisture content such as grass that has received rain the day before. Roe deer will not generally venture in to a field that either has livestock in it such as sheep and cattle, this is because the livestock will make the grass very unclean. Roe Deer Behaviour Male roe deer ‘bark’ and make a low grunting noise or make a high pitched wolf-like whine when attracting mates during the breeding season, often luring multiple female Roe deer into their territory. Both male and female roe deer are solitary and are highly territorial, with clearly defined boundaries. Both male and female Roe deer scent mark. These scents give information about the sex, age and dominance of the individual.

Roe Deer Reproduction Roe deer are polygamous which means they have more than one mating partner. Roe Deer males clash over territory in early summer and mate in early fall. During courtship, when the males chase the females, they often flatten the underbrush leaving behind areas of the forest in the shape of a figure eight called ‘roe rings’. Males may also use their antlers to shovel around fallen foliage and dirt as a way of attracting a mate. Roebucks enter rutting during the July and August breeding season. Female Roe deers are monoestrous (having only one breeding season a year, typically in spring) and after delayed implantation, usually give birth the following June, after a 10 month gestation period. They typically give birth to two spotted kids of opposite sexes. The kids remain hidden in long grass from predators until they are ready to join the rest of the herd. They are suckled by their mother several times a day for around three months. Roe deer adults will often abandon their young if they sense or smell that an animal or human has been near it. Young female roe deer can begin to reproduce when they are around 16 months old.

Roe deer have a life span of up to 10 – 12 years. Roe Deer Conservation Status Roe deer are not an endangered species, despite the fact that up to 90 per cent die during their first year. This is due to heavy predation on fawns by foxes and by lynx in mainland Europe. Starvation and respiratory infections also take their toll. Muntjac - Norfolk Wildlife Trust Muntjac Update: 18 January 2017 Following the flooding a...

Features Muntjac in a garden by Tim Folkes 1/10 Muntjac eating apples by Ian Barclay 2/10 Muntjac deer by Elizabeth Dack 3/10 Muntjac deer grazing by Elizabeth Dack 4/10 Muntjac deer by Tim Lake 5/10 Male and female muntjac beside lake by Elizabeth Dack 6/10 Buck muntjac by Elizabeth Dack 7/10 Muntjac by Elizabeth Dack 8/10 Muntjac by Ralph Neale 9/10 Muntjac by Elizabeth Dack 10/10 Muntjac Muntiacus reevesi This tiny non-native deer is the smallest in Britain and has copper-brown fur, with darker markings on the legs and face – which vary depending on gender. Their numbers have increased rapidly and they can be spotted in shrubby areas all year round. Conservation status Muntjacs are not a native species to Britain. They originate from China but were introduced to Woburn Park in Bedfordshire in 1838.

After escapes and deliberate movement of the deer by humans they have now spread over southern England and are increasing in number. Muntjac are a conservation concern in the UK as they impact on woodland ground flora. Details Muntjacs are also known as the ‘barking deer’ because of its loud barking call. The Muntjac gets its Latin name from John Russell Reeves who first introduced the species. Muntjac are the oldest known deer, appearing 15-35 million years ago, with remains found in Miocene deposits in France and Germany. How to recognise Muntjacs are the smallest deer in Britain and are about 45cm at the shoulder. They have a hunched posture as their haunches are higher than their front. Their fur is generally brown although they have darker markings on their legs and face. The characteristic markings on the face vary between the male and female. In the buck a V shaped marking stretches up the pedicles in the male, whereas the females have a dark diamond shape. The pedicles are characteristic of the males in this species and are extensions of the skull. Males will also have antlers extending from the pedicles during the autumn although these are straight and short at around 10cm.

Bucks also have large canine teeth which protrude from the top lip and are used in fighting. Both sexes have black scent glands under both eyes and a large characteristic tail which are held upright when startled to reveal a white underside. You may hear a muntjac before seeing it as they have a loud ‘barking’ call. Where to see Their habitat is deciduous and coniferous woodland with shrubby areas where they can eat berries acorns and grasses. They can be seen throughout Norfolk and can sometimes be found visiting gardens with good cover. When to see Unlike other deer species in Britain the muntjac does not have a set rutting season and they will breed all year round. They are active throughout 24 hours but dawn and dusk are the best times to see them especially in a disturbed area. Find out more Related questions & advice What is an alien wildlife species? This term refers to species which are not native to an area or country and have been deliberately or accidentally introduced by people. Some alien wildlife species cause problems by competing with native species or carrying diseases which affect native species. Examples of invasive alien plants species include giant hogweed, Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed.

Alien animals in Norfolk include grey squirrels and mink which are native to North America and Chinese Water Deer and muntjac deer from Asia. Not all alien introductions are invasive or cause problems and birds such as little owls, pheasants, and red-legged partridge are non-native introductions but so much part of the Norfolk (and English) countryside that few would call them aliens. When and where is the best place to see deer rutting? The best time to see deer is at dusk or dawn. Generally male and females remain in separate groups until it is time for mating. Red Deer: Rut September to October. Red deer have been observed throughout the East Anglian region but rutting has specifically been reported at Minsmere reserve and Thetford forest. Events have been organised to observe rutting in previous years, check the RSPB and Forestry Commission websites for more information. Young red deer are born in early June. Roe Deer: Rut July to August. The have embryonic diapause (which means the embryo waits to develop) so they don’t give birth until May/June. Roe deer can be seen in the Thetford Forrest.

Fallow Deer: Rut October to November and fawns are born May to June. A large herd can be seen at Holkham Estate . Chinese Water Deer: Rut November to December and fawns are born in May and June. They may be seen at NWT Hickling Broad and Strumpshaw Fen . How do I prevent deer and rabbits from getting into my garden? The only sure way of doing this is to completely fence your garden. However to be effective against rabbits the netting will have to be buried some 30cm into the ground and to stop deer will have to be over 6 ft tall. How can I recognize Muntjac deer? Muntjac are not native to Britain. They originate from China but were introduced to Woburn Park in Bedfordshire in 1838. After escapes and deliberate movement of the deer by humans they have now spread over southern England and are increasing in number. Muntjac are the smallest deer in Britain and are about 45cm at the shoulder. They have a hunched posture due to their haunches being higher than their withers.

Their fur is generally brown although they have darker markings on their face which in the male is V shaped and stretches up the pedicles, whereas the females have a dark U or diamond shape. The pedicles are characteristic of the males in this species and are extensions of the skull. These pedicles have short, straight antlers (about 10cm long) extending from them during the autumn. Bucks also have large canine teeth which protrude from the top lip and are used in fighting. Both sexes have black scent glands under both eyes and a large characteristic tail which is held upright when the animal is startled revealing a white underside. You may hear a Muntjac before seeing it as they have a loud and quite distinctive ‘barking’ call. Where and when can I see Muntjac? Muntjac inhabit both deciduous and coniferous woodland with shrubby areas where they can feed on berries, acorns and grasses. They can be seen throughout Norfolk and can sometimes be found visiting gardens with good cover. Muntjac can be seen at any time of the year. Unlike other deer species in Britain the Muntjac does not have a set rutting season and they will breed all through the year.

They are active throughout 24 hours, but dawn and dusk are the best times to see them especially in an area subject to human disturbance. Surveying mammals - How do I know if mammals have been visiting my garden? When surveying mammals in your garden, there are a number of signs that they have been visiting: Trails If mammals are using your garden they may well create clear access points or pathways leading to and from favoured feeding areas. Holes made under fences, fur snagged on wire fences, food dropped along the pathway, scratch marks on trees and maybe the size of the entrance to any burrows will all give clues as to what is present. Keep track with what’s going on… Norfolk Wildlife Trust has set up a ‘Tracks, Trails and Signs’ section on the photo gallery . You might just find a photograph that matches your trail, burrow or track. Tracks Any mammals using your garden will leave tracks, although these may be hard to spot. If you place some sand (perhaps in a large tray or container) in a shallow pit close to suspected feeding sites or across established trails, any mammals using the area may leave their tracks which you can then identify by use of a good field guide.

Muddy margins or garden ponds will also be a good spot to look for tracks. Step this way… Have you got an animal footprint you would like help identifying? Check out some common footprints here or submit your photograph online. Include information on the size of the footprint and where it was taken. Droppings The size, shape, colour and consistency of droppings will provide excellent, often conclusive, indicators as to what is using your garden. For example: foxes leave quite large droppings with distinctive tapered ends, whilst hedgehog droppings are shiny and black, and will often contain hard remains of beetles and other invertebrates. For some droppings you might find in your garden click here. Eating Habits Small rodents will readily store supplies of fruit and nuts, and their remains can help you determine the species group responsible. Seeds and nuts are dealt with in very different ways by mice, voles and squirrels, and all three leave quite distinct gnawing patterns. Foxes have a wide-ranging diet and will sometimes leave conspicuous remains of their meal on your lawn or in your flower-beds. For example, a trail of woodpigeon feathers could well be the work of a fox.

They will readily feed on carrion and even dig up shallow-buried remains. Scattered contents of rubbish bags can also be a good indicator of their presence. Badgers will also dig for food, and holes scratched in your lawn may well the be work of these hungry animals - especially in dry weather, when their prey may be driven deeper underground. Surveying mammals - Where do I look for mammals in the wider countryside? Surveying mammals will often yield varied and plentiful results, as they are likely to be present in all habitats of your chosen survey area. Although most mammals will spend their time in cover, their signs will still be visible: open fields (especially pasture), for example, will be good places to look for mole hills; embankments and railway cuttings may contain rabbit burrows and fox dens; squirrel drays can be seen in trees where a stout branch meets the trunk (magpie nests will be built amongst smaller branches towards the top of the tree); and the footprints and droppings of deer may be obvious along woodland trails. Shrews are rarely seen alive but are often found dead on pathways and tracks enabling the species to be identified. Cats will kill shrews but almost never eat them.

If you are unsure of the shrew's identity, a good photograph and measurements of body and tail length will enable an identification to be made. Larger deer may dig out root crops, browse foliage or strip bark from young trees; the height at which the two latter activities take place will give an indication of the likely species. Gallery feed ADW: Muntiacus reevesi: INFORMATION native Habitat Muntiacus reevesi is a forest creature in its native country of China. It creates paths through the subtropical rainforests at moderate elevations, which is why it has been termed by some as a bush hugger. It was observed that muntjacs in general tend to prefer habitats near streams, but evidence of this preference is not strongly demonstrated in the literature for this particular species of muntjac . Chinese muntjacs will fight to defend a fairly specific territory, but males have been shown to tolerate the presence of a subordinate male in their territory so long as that male is not in rut. In England, M. reevesi exhibits slightly different preferences for habitat.

It appears that the feral muntjacs of Britain are equally happy in habitats with and without cover; that is, muntjacs have been found in deciduous and coniferous forests as well as agricultural land, and even suburban and urban areas. In some respects, it is difficult to consider habitat preferences when a number of the metapopulations within the British population were specifically released into certain environments, so their presence in some habitats may not actually be an indication of a preference. Reliable information on elevation preferences could not be found for the British population of M. reevesi, but in its native environment, it appears that M. reevesi prefers moderate elevations (moderate was not defined). ( Chapman, et al., 1994 ; Geist, 1998 ; Helin, et al., 1999 ; Nowak, ed. and Paradiso, ed., 1983 ) Habitat Regions agricultural Physical Description Muntiacus reevesi has a chestnut-colored coat with a 4-inch tail that is black above and white below.

It has been reported that the females tend to be slightly lighter in color than males, but these observations were mainly made on captive and feral M. reevesi in England and have not been corroborated with observations of M. reevesi in its native China. Chinese muntjacs stand 43 to 45 cm in height at the shoulder. Sexual dimorphism in M. reevesi leads to larger, heavier males that have short antlers (125 to 150 mm) that grow from their pedicles and that have long, tusk-like canines (1 to 2 inches long). The canines are not entirely fixed to the premaxilla so they are less likely to be broken off during a fight. Both the male and female Chinese muntjacs have bony ridges on their faces that are lined with black hair along the inside. These ridges extend into hair-covered pedicles from which antlers (male) or black tufts of hair (females) project. Both the male and female Chinese muntjacs also have preorbital glands that produce a creamy liquid used for chemical communication. As with all Muntiacus species, M.

reevesi has only the upper parts of the 2nd and 5th digit metacarpals present, a physiology known as plesiometacarpalia. However, unlike other deer species that have 2 hooves of the same size and shape, M. reevesi has one hoof that is smaller than the other and that is lined with hairs that are visible in its footprints. ( Burrage, 2000 ; Grzimek, 1990 ; Helin, et al., 1999 ; Marshall, 1967 ; Nowak, ed. and Paradiso, ed., 1983 ; Southern, 1964 ) Other Physical Features 31.50 in Reproduction Males gain access to females by defending territory that overlaps that of females. The males will fight with the tusk-like canines for access to females in estrous. The males do not use their antlers in offensive moves while fighting like the white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus , but they spar extensively while still young, and use the horns in defensive moves while fighting.

( Chapman, et al., 1997 ; Geist, 1998 ; Grzimek, 1990 ; Lawson, et al., 2001 ; Pei, et al., 1995 ; Southern, 1964 ; Yahner, 1980 ) Mating System polygynous Muntiacus reevesi has year round breeding in its natural habitat in China. In England, Chinese muntjacs appear to have a more seasonal breeding cycle that occurs between late October and early March. Both sexes of M. reevesi develop rapidly so that they may reach their reproductive threshold weights (12 kg for bucks, 10 kg for does) within a few months of birth (36 weeks for bucks, 24 weeks for does). It is unlikely that very young males will be able to gain access to a doe in estrus, but younger males tend to be more reproductively successful than older males due to the quality of their canines. Unlike other antlered deer, muntjacs use tusk-like canines to defend territory and gain access to females.

When a doe in estrus is located, the male will make a buzzing sound and the female will respond by lying flat, weaving her head and emitting a cat-like whine that is a sign of submission. After copulation, male are no longer involved with the females and once the rut is over, males lose their antlers. Males may grow antlers in a period as rapid as 103 days, which is useful for a species that can breed year-round. ( Chapman, et al., 1997 ; Geist, 1998 ; Grzimek, 1990 ; Nowak, ed. and Paradiso, ed., 1983 ; Southern, 1964 ; Yahner, 1980 ) Key Reproductive Features Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male) 36 to 59 weeks Parental investment is minimal in M. reevesi. The young develop extremely rapidly and are weaned early enough so that by the time that the caloric needs of the young really begin to escalate, they have begun to eat solid foods and are no longer dependent on their mother’s milk.

Lactation generally occurs for only the first 17 weeks. Because the young become independent so early, there is no extra cost to a female to produce males (which would generally cost more in nutritional needs from a mother). By the age of 6 months, adulthood is reached and the young must leave the mother's territory. ( Chapman, et al., 1997 ; Grzimek, 1990 ) Parental Investment AnAge Behavior Muntiacus reevesi is a solitary, territorial deer that uses its tusk-like canines to defend its territory and gain access to females. It uses its short antlers for parrying and sparring and for defensive moves while fighting. Unlike other antlered deer, the muntjac uses its horns to shove an opponent off balance and inflict a tusk blow to the face or head that will hopefully puncture the skin of the face, neck or ears. Chinese muntjacs create trails through their territory that they use for ease of movement, similar to white-tailed deer of North America ( Odocoileus virginianus ). The foliage along these trails often becomes worn with use.

Muntjacs will also trample down and clear areas for bedding down or urinating. Feeding bouts in Chinese muntjacs typically last 30-40 minutes; they are most active at dawn and dusk. As with other ruminants, muntjacs will browse for a short time, then chew their cud for some time. Muntiacus reevesi is a particularly unfussy eater and will browse on a wide variety of plant and animal materials, as well as carrion and fungus. In Britain, M. reevesi has been found to walk up the stems of small saplings in order to reach foliage that would otherwise be out of reach. Muntiacus reevesi tends to forage with its head held low, making soft growling noises as it moves. As is further explained in the communication section, Chinese muntjacs use vocalizations and chemical signals as forms of communication. Muntiacus reevesi tends to bark when it is feeling anxious, generally due to the presence of a predator or a dominant conspecific. Chemical communication consists primarily of scent marks that are placed on vegetation in order to mark territory.

The odors produced by the scent glands themselves may be used for the identification of individuals, but this has not been extensively tested. Territories of M. reevesi females tend to overlap, but male territories tend only to overlap those of females, not of other males. An exception can be observed when males will tolerate the presence of a younger, antlerless male that is not a competitor for females in estrus. This serves the subservient male well because he does not have to fight other males for his own territory and he can get practice sparring with a dominant male. The dominant male benefits because he is gaining a co-defender of territory without giving up any access to females. ( Chapman, et al., 1993 ; Chapman, et al., 1997 ; Geist, 1998 ; Unavailable, Unavailable ; Yahner, 1980 ) Key Behaviors 0.11 to 0.28 km^2 Home Range The home range of the Chinese muntjacs has been studied in feral populations in England. In those studies, it was found that range size and usage areas of the range did not differ seasonally or diurnally.

These studies also noted that female territories tended to overlap. The minimum range size for adult male M. reevesi in Britain is about 20 hectares. The maximum range size for bucks is approximately 28 hectares. For M. reevesi in Britain, the minimum range size is 11 hectares, and the maximum range size is 14 hectares. Information on range sizes for M. reevesi in its native China are not available. It is noted that gathering data on muntjacs in their native habitats (i.e. dense vegetation), is often difficult because they are heard more often than they are seen. ( Chapman, et al., 1993 ; Marshall, 1967 ) Communication and Perception Muntiacus reevesi, as a member of the Muntiacus genus, is often known as a barking deer, yet the function of barking may be overestimated by casual observers. While it was originally thought that muntjacs used their barks to communicate with other muntjacs to communicate danger or location information, it appears that the barks of muntjacs have a more limited function than expected.

Barks are primarily used in two circumstances; when predators are suspected in the environment and during social encounters when subordinate and dominant animals come into contact. The hypothesis that barks are used as a part of reproductive processes has not been substantiated. Likewise, expectations that barks were used to communicate danger to other muntjacs could not be corroborated in studies. The frequency of the barks of muntjacs prevents them from traveling any substantial distance, particularly in dense vegetation, so it is unlikely that barks evolved as a warning response. It has been hypothesized that the barking of muntjacs is actually a vocalization of inner anxiety that accompanies being hunted by predators or challenged by a dominant individual and that it has little to do with mating, defending territory, food procurement or identification of individuals. Evidence supporting this hypothesis is found in the observations of increased barking by the muntjac at dawn and dusk and in environments that have decreased visibility, such as very dense grassland environments. Chinese muntjacs send signals to others about their identity, their territory and their sexual state using a combination of non-bark vocalizations and chemicals.

The non-bark vocalizations that may be emitted by Muntiacus reevesi are used in reproductive situations where the male makes a buzzing sound and a female that is willing will make a cat-like whine. A main form of communication in M. reevesi comes through chemicals emitted by the preorbital gland. These chemicals are used as scent markers to define territories and to advertise presence of an individual. Studies have shown that the chemical composition of these secretions would permit muntjacs to identify an individual’s age, sex and population of origin, but the mere presence of these capabilities within the chemical does not mean that the muntjac are using chemical communication in that way. ( Boardman and Bourne, 2001 ; Geist, 1998 ; Grzimek, 1990 ; Nowak, ed. and Paradiso, ed., 1983 ; Southern, 1964 ; Yahner, 1980 ) Communication Channels fungus Predation Muntiacus reevesi is predated upon by a number of larger mammals and reptiles in southeast China.

These natural enemies include leopards , tigers , dholes , jackals , crocodiles and pythons . In the introduced populations in England, the only potential predator is the fox . Behavioral differences may be noted between the English populations and those of China as the lack of predators leads M. reevesi to be much less vigilent in England and is therefore considered to be comfortable with the presence of man and human-altered surroundings. When alarmed, Chinese muntjacs will bark for up to one hour. This distress call, however, does not appear to be meant to warn others but may simply be a vocalized expression of internal anxiety. This is mainly evidenced by the fact that muntjac barks tend to be emitted within a frequency range that would not carry through the dense vegetation that they inhabit. ( Burrage, 2000 ; Grzimek, 1990 ; Marshall, 1967 ; Yahner, 1980 ) Known Predators pythons ( Boidae ) Ecosystem Roles The alarm barks of Chinese muntjacs are excellent warnings for other small mammals that a predator, such as a tiger or leopard, is in the area.

In China, the behavior and distribution of M. reevesi is interdependent with the behavior and distribution of other Cervinae species, especially M. crinifrons , M. muntjak and Elaphodus cephalophus . As the most generalized in its food habits of the muntjacs, M. reevesi has the widest range, preferring subtropical forest areas and tending to occur near water. The other Cervinae species have become distributed in either higher elevations, drier, open environments, or wetter, denser environments. These habitat types have led the other Cervinae to become more specialized in their diet and behavior than M. reevesi. The impacts of muntjacs and other deer on plant diversity and woodland invertebrates in England have been studied and it appears that with natural deer populations, vegetation browsing may create more habitats for invertebrates and the presence of dung may allow for an increased diversity of invertebrates. This is contrasted with high-density deer populations, where deer will overbrowse an area and leave minimal plant diversity and reduce remaining plant quality for invertebrates.

Similar impacts have been observed on small mammal populations, where muntjacs may act as direct competitors for resources or act as habitat modifiers. Just as with the invertebrate study, observations made about Chinese muntjacs’ impact on small mammals are density-dependent. Essentially, at high densities, the competition for resources and habitat modification through loss of cover will cause a decline in the populations of small mammals (such as Apodemus sylvaticus , Micromys minutus , Sorex anareus, Sorex minutus , Myodes glareolus , Apodemus flavicollis , Muscardinus avellanarius ) that ripples through the food chain, especially affecting the predators of small mammals: Mustela nivalis , Mustela erminea and Vulpes vulpes . ( Burrage, 2000 ; Cooke and Farrell, 2001 ; Flowerdew and Ellwood, 2001 ; Stewart, 2001 ) Ecosystem Impact keystone species Economic Importance for Humans: Positive Muntiacus reevesi has positive impacts for humans in both China and western European feral populations. In both environments, M.

reevesi is hunted for meat (and in Britain, for sport). They have also been appreciated in their native environments for warning humans in the woods of the presence of a predator animal, such as a tiger or leopard, with their barks. ( Burrage, 2000 ; Grzimek, 1990 ; Nowak, ed. and Paradiso, ed., 1983 ) Positive Impacts food Economic Importance for Humans: Negative Muntiacus reevesi does not have any reported negative impacts in its native habitat because its populations are controlled by predator species and because it tends to live in forest environments. In England, however, M. reevesi, unchecked by predators, has become the most widely distributed deer and has been found to inhabit urban and suburban areas, as well as forests. They may be a nuisance to farmers and foresters due to their browsing on vegetation, particularly coppice. ( Burrage, 2000 ; Cooke and Farrell, 2001 ; Nowak, ed.

and Paradiso, ed., 1983 ; Southern, 1964 ) Negative Impacts crop pest Conservation Status Muntiacus reevesi is common in southeast China, therefore it is not listed as a threatened or endangered species. It appears not to have been studied by many conservation organizations, which most likely indicates that it is not a species of concern for those involved in protecting biodiversity. No special status Other Comments Muntiacus reevesi and other members of the Cervinae subfamily are interesting to geneticists due to their strange genetic history. It appears that while M. reevesi is 2n=46, M. feae is 2n=14 F/13 M, M. crinifrons and M. gongshanenis are 2n=8 F/9 M, and M. muntjak is 2n=6 F/7 M, the smallest known chromosome number for any mammal. It is also noted that evolution from the more primitive to more derived Muntiacus species was rapid, with the fastest evolution occurring in M. feae , where two different karyotypes emerged in only 0.5 Myr.

Taxonomists recently added a potential new genus Megamuntjacus to the subfamily Cervinae , although it is still being disputed whether or not this new species should be its own genus or should fall under the genus Muntiacus . ( Geist, 1998 ; Randi, et al., 1998 ; Wang and Lan, 2000 ) Contributors Matthew Wund (editor), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Sara Deuling (author), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Phil Myers (editor, instructor), Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Glossary Palearctic living in the northern part of the Old World. In otherwords, Europe and Asia and northern Africa. acoustic young are relatively well-developed when born References Boardman, S., D. Bourne. 2001. "Muntiacus reevesi Chinese muntjac" (On-line). Managing Foot and Mouth Disease. Accessed February 12, 2004 at #Sexual . Burrage, M. 2000. "Deer in the UK" (On-line). Muntjac Deer.

Accessed February 07, 2004 at . Chapman, N., S. Harris, A. Stanford. 1994. Reeves' Muntjac Muntiacus reevesi in Britain: their history, spread, habitat selection, and the role of human intervention in accelerating their dispersal. Mammal Review, Vol. 24, No. 3: 113-160. Chapman, N., K. Claydon, M. Claydon, P. Forde, S. Harris. 1993. Sympatric populations of muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus): a comparative analysis of their ranging behaviour, social organization and activity. Journal of Zoology, Vol. 229: 623-640. Chapman, N., M. Furlong, S. Harris. 1997.

Reproductive Strategies and the influence of date of birth on growth and sexual development of an aseasonally-breeding ungulate: Reeves' muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi). Journal of Zoology, Vol. 241: 551-570. Cooke, A., L. Farrell. 2001. Impact of muntjac deer (Muntiacus reevesi) at Monks Wood National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire, eastern England. Forestry, Vol. 74, No. 3: 241-250. Flowerdew, J., S. Ellwood. 2001. Impacts of woodland deer on small mammal ecology. Forestry, Vol. 74, No. 3: 277-287. Geist, V. 1998. Deer of the World: Their Evolution, Behaviour and Ecology. find this out: Stackpole Books. Grzimek, B. 1990. Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Mammals (Vol. 5). New York: McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.. Helin, S., N.

Ohtaishi, L. Houji. 1999. The Mammalian of China. Beijing, China.: China Forestry Publishing House. Jackson, J., D. Chapman, O. Dansie. 1977. A note on the food of Muntjac deer (Muntiacus reevesi). Journal of Zoology, Vol. 183: 546-548. Lawson, R., R. Putnam, A. Fielding. 2001. Chemical communication in Eurasian deer (Cervidae): do individual odours also code for attributes?. Journal of Zoology, 253: 91-99. Marshall, P. 1967. Wild Mammals of Hong Kong. Hong Kong: Oxford University Press. Nowak, ed., R., J. Paradiso, ed.. 1983. Walker's Mammals of the World: Fourth ed. Vol. 1.. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. Pei, K., R. Taber, B. O'Gara, Y. Wang. 1995.

Breeding cycle of the Formosan Reeves' muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi micrurus) in northern Taiwan, Republic of China. Mammalia, Vol. 59, No. 2: 223-228. Randi, E., N. Mucci, M. Pierpaoli, E. Douzery. 1998. New phylogenetic perspectives on the Cervidae (Artiodactyla) are provided by the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B, Vol. 265: 793-801. Southern, H. 1964. The Handbook of British Mammals. Oxford, England.: Blackwell Scientific Publications. Stewart, A. 2001. The impact of deer on lowland woodland invertebrates: a review of the evidence and priorities for future research. Forestry, Vol. 74, No. 3: 259-270. Unavailable, Unavailable. "Deer-UK" (On-line). The Ecology of the Reeves' Muntjac.

Accessed February 12, 2004 at . Wang, W., H. Lan. 2000. Rapid and Parallel Chromosomal Number Reductions in Muntjac Deer Inferred from Mitochondrial DNA Phylogeny. Molecular Biology and Evolution, Vol. 17, No. 9: 1326-1333. Yahner, R. 1980. Barking in a Primitive Ungulate, Muntiacus reevesi: Function and Adaptiveness. American Naturalist, Vol. 116, No. 2: 157-177. 22 Animals You Didn't Know Exist LIFE We learn all about the common animals when we're young: dogs, cats, cows, horses, elephants, and on and on. But there are dozens of animals out there that you don't know about. Not only do you not know about them, but they're incredibly unique and some are even incredibly adorable. Just take #19 for example. I want one, no matter how illegal that may be. In no particular order, here are 22 of the most unknown animals that we thought you would be interested in. Check it out.

1. The Dhole is a species of canid native to South and Southeast Asia. The dhole is a highly social animal, living in large clans which occasionally split up into small packs to hunt. It primarily preys on medium-sized ungulates, which it hunts by tiring them out in long chases, and kills by disemboweling them. Though fearful of humans, dhole packs are bold enough to attack large and dangerous animals such as wild boar, water buffalo, and even tigers. imgur 2. Babirusa, meaning "Hog-deer", are members of the pig family found in Wallacea, or specifically the Indonesian islands of Sulawesi, Togian, Sula and Buru. If a babirusa does not grind its tusks (achievable through regular activity), they will eventually keep growing so as to penetrate the animal's own skull. imgur 3. The pink fairy armadillo is approximately 3.5-4.5 inches long, excluding the tail, and is pale rose or pink in color. It has the ability to bury itself completely in a matter of seconds if frightened.

It is a nocturnal animal and it burrows small holes near ant colonies in dry soil, and feeds mainly on ants and ant larvae near its burrow. It uses large front claws to agitate the sand, allowing it to almost swim through the ground like it is water. It is torpedo-shaped, and has a shielded head and back. imgur 4. The fossa is a cat-like, carnivorous mammal that is endemic to Madagascar. The fossa is the largest mammalian carnivore on the island of Madagascar and has been compared to a small cougar. It has semi-retractable claws and flexible ankles that allow it to climb up and down trees head-first, and also support jumping from tree to tree. imgur imgur 5. The gerenuk, also known as the Waller's gazelle, is a long-necked species of antelope found in dry thorn bush scrub and desert in Eastern Africa. The word gerenuk comes from the Somali language, meaning "giraffe-necked". Gerenuks have a relatively small head for their body, but their eyes and ears are proportionately large. Gerenuks seldom graze but browse on prickly bushes and trees, such as acacias.

They can reach higher branches and twigs than other gazelles and antelope by standing erect on their rear legs and stretching their elongated necks. imgur imgur 6. The Naked Mole Rat. This creature has a lot of characteristics that make it very important to human beings. For one it is resistant to cancer. They also live up to 28 years, which is unheard of in mammals of its size. It seemingly does not age much in those 28 years either. It remains “young, healthy and fully fertile for almost all its days, which for an elderly animal is equivalent to an 80-year-old woman having the biological make-up of someone 50 years younger.” The naked mole rat is used in both cancer research and the study of aging. Not only making it a bizarre creature, but an incredibly important creature as well. imgur 7. The Irrawaddy dolphin is a species of oceanic dolphin found near sea coasts and in estuaries and rivers in parts of the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia. Genetically, the Irrawaddy dolphin is closely related to the killer whale. imgur imgur 8.

The markhor is a large species of wild goat that is found in northeastern Afghanistan and Pakistan. The species is classed by the IUCN as Endangered, as there are fewer than 2,500 mature individuals. The markhor is the national animal of Pakistan. While chewing the cud, a foam-like substance comes out of its mouth which drops on the ground and dries. This foam-like substance is sought after by the local people, who believe it is useful in extracting snake poison from snake bitten wounds.9 imgur imgur 9. Also known as the Kiwaidae, this crab is a type of marine decapod living at deep-sea hydrothermal vents and cold seeps. The animals are commonly referred to as "yeti crabs" because of their claws and legs, which are white and appear to be furry like the mythical yeti imgur 10. Snub-nosed monkeys live in various parts of Asia and get their name from the short stump of a nose on their round face. Snub-nosed monkeys inhabit mountain forests, in the winter moving into deeply secluded regions. They spend the majority of their life in the trees and live together in very large groups of up to 600 members.

They have a large vocal repertoire, calling sometimes solo while at other times together in choir-like fashion. imgur 11. The Maned Wolf is the largest canid in South America, resembling a large fox with reddish fur. This mammal is found in open and semi-open habitats, especially grasslands with scattered bushes and trees throughout South America. The maned wolf is the tallest of the wild canids and it's long legs are most likely an adaptation to the tall grasslands of its native habitat. imgur imgur 12. The southern right whale dolphin is a small and slender species of mammal found in cool waters of the southern hemisphere. They are fast active swimmers and have no visible teeth and no dorsal fin. They are very graceful and often move by leaping out of the water continuously imgur 13. Southern Red Muntjac. Found in south Asia, it has soft, short, brownish or greyish hair and is omnivorous, feeding on grass, fruits, shoots, seeds, birds' eggs as well as small animals. It sometimes even displays scavenging behavior, feeding on carrion. It gives calls similar to barking, usually upon sensing a predator.

Males are extremely territorial and—despite their diminutive size—can be quite fierce. They will fight each other for territory using their antlers or their tusk-like upper canine teeth, and can even defend themselves against certain predators such as dogs. imgur imgur 14. It is a species of treehopper called Cyphonia Clavata that literally has an ant growing out of its head. Well not literally, the ant-like thing on its head is an appendage that hides the treehopper’s actual body from predators. imgur 15. Also known as The Sunda flying lemur, the Sunda Colugo is not actually a lemur and does not fly. Instead, it glides as it leaps among trees. It is strictly arboreal, is active at night, and feeds on soft plant parts such as young leaves, shoots, flowers, and fruits. The Sunda Coluga can be found throughout Southeast Asia in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore imgur 16. The Tufted Deer is a small species of deer characterized by the prominent tuft of black hair on its forehead.

It is a close relative of the muntjac, living somewhat further north over a wide area of central China. It is a timid animal, mainly solitary or found in pairs and prefers places with good cover, where it is well camouflaged. imgur 17. Lampreys are a type of jawless fish that live mostly in coastal and fresh waters whose adults are characterized by a toothed, funnel-like sucking mouth. They attach themselves to fish and suck their blood. Lampreys have been around for nearly 300 millions years and their body structure has remained relatively unchanged. imgur 18. The Raccoon Dog, or Tanuki, is a canid indigenous to East Asia. The raccoon dog is named for its resemblance to the raccoon, to which it is not closely related. They are very good climbers and regularly climb trees. imgur imgur 19. The Patagonian Mara is a relatively large rodent found in parts of Argentina. This herbivorous, somewhat rabbit-like animal has distinctive long ears and long limbs and its hind limbs are longer and more muscular than its forelimbs. imgur 20.

The Amazonian Royal Flycatcher is found in forests and woodlands throughout most of the Amazon basin. They are about 6 1/2 inches in length and like to dart out from branches to catch flying insects or pluck them from leaves. They build very large nests (sometimes up to 6 feet long) on a branches near water. The nest hangs over the water which makes it hard for predators to reach. imgur imgur 21. The zebra duiker is a small antelope found in Ivory Coast and other parts of Africa. They have gold or red-brown coats with distinctive zebra-like stripes (hence the name) Their prong-like horns are about 4.5 cm long in males, and half that in females. They live in lowland rainforests and mostly eat leaves and fruit. imgur 22. The star-nosed mole is a small mole found in wet low areas of eastern Canada and the northeastern United States.

It is easily identified by the 11 pairs of pink fleshy appendages ringing its snout, which is used as a touch organ with more than 25,000 minute sensory receptors, known as Eimer's organs, with which this hamster-sized mole feels its way around. imgur The gerenuk and the raccoon dog are welcome in my house any time, but the star-nose mole can go away. Not welcome. Share these awesome, unique, barely known animals with others. Spread the knowledge. Need more ViralNova in your life? Sign up for our newsletter today! Email Address

Question: A muntjac is what type of animal?
Answer: Deer