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Muntjac
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Muntjac are deer of the genus Muntiacus, also known as Barking Deer. Muntjac are the oldest known deer, appearing 15-35 million years ago, with remains found in Miocene deposits in France and Germany.
The present-day species are native to Southeast Asia and can be found from India and Sri Lanka to southern China, Taiwan and Indonesian islands. Reeves's Muntjac has been introduced to England and is now common in some areas there. Being tropical, there is no seasonal rut and mating can take place at any time of year, a behaviour retained by populations introduced to temperate countries. Males have short antlers which can regrow but tend to fight with their tusks (downward pointing canine teeth) for territory.
Muntjac are of great interest in evolutionary studies because of their dramatic chromosome variations and recent discoveries of several new species.
Ten species:
- Indian Muntjac or Common Muntjac, Muntiacus muntjak
- Reeves's Muntjac or Chinese Muntjac, Muntiacus reevesi
- Hairy-fronted Muntjac or Black Muntjac, Muntiacus crinifrons
- Fea's Muntjac, Muntiacus feae
- Bornean Yellow Muntjac, Muntiacus atherodes
- Roosevelt's Muntjac, Muntiacus rooseveltorum
- Gongshan Muntjac, Muntiacus gongshanensis
- Giant Muntjac, Muntiacus vuquangensis
- Truong Son Muntjac Muntiacus truongsonensis
- Leaf Muntjac Muntiacus putaoensis
The Belgian animal park Parc Paradisio has 3 Muntjaks in captivity. There is also an introduced population in the UK.