Reeves's Muntjac
Muntiacus reevesi
Also known as the 'barking deer,' males possess prominent, downward-pointing canine tusks which they use to fight rivals for mates.
- Scientific name
- Muntiacus reevesi
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Mammalia › Artiodactyla › Cervidae › Muntiacus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous or coniferous forests with dense understory, shrublands, and suburban gardens.
- Diet
- Herbivorous; feeds on ivy, brambles, young shoots, grasses, fallen fruits, and fungi.
- Range
- China, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan
- Size
- Shoulder height of 43-50 cm, weight of 11-18 kg.
- Lifespan
- 10-15 years
- Active
- crepuscular
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation in native ranges, vehicle collisions, and population control culling in introduced regions where they are invasive.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and highly secretive. Observe quietly from a distance of at least 15 meters to avoid startling them. If cornered, males may defend themselves with their sharp canine tusks. In the rare event of a bite or scratch, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical advice.
The Reeves's muntjac ( Muntiacus reevesi ; Chinese: 山羌) is a muntjac species found widely in southeastern China (from Gansu to Yunnan) and Taiwan. It has also been introduced in Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom (south England, the Midlands, east Wales), Ireland, and Japan. It takes its name from John Reeves, an employee of the British East India Company in the 19th century.
Photo: Rob Pople, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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