The muntjac deer, often called the “barking deer,” is an ancient group of deer species native to Asia. Though introduced to regions like the United Kingdom, their origins trace back millions of years. These deer are known for their distinctive characteristics and behaviors.
Defining Characteristics
Muntjac deer are notable for their small stature, typically standing 40 to 65 centimeters (15 to 25 inches) tall at the shoulder and weighing 9 to 35 kilograms (20 to 77 pounds), making them among the smallest deer species. Their body often appears hunched because their hind legs are longer than their front legs. Their coat color usually ranges from reddish to grayish-brown, often with a paler underside, and may turn a duller gray in winter.
Male muntjac, known as bucks, possess short, unbranched antlers that are shed and regrown annually. These antlers grow from long, fur-covered bases called pedicles. Males also have prominent, downward-pointing canine teeth, or “tusks,” which can be up to an inch long and protrude from their mouths. Females, or does, lack antlers but have small bony knobs and a dark patch of fur on their heads. Both sexes have large facial glands below their eyes.
Natural Habitat and Lifestyle
Muntjac deer are indigenous to South and Southeast Asia, with their natural range extending across countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Vietnam, the Indonesian islands, Taiwan, and Southern China. They thrive in areas with dense vegetation, including rainforests, monsoon forests, and hilly terrain, often preferring locations close to water sources. Their adaptability also allows them to inhabit diverse environments like scrub, farmland, and even urban gardens in regions where they have been introduced.
These deer are generally solitary animals, though females with their young or temporary pairs may occasionally be observed. They establish and defend small territories, with males typically having territories that overlap with those of females but not with other males. Muntjac deer are primarily crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk, but can also be active throughout the day and night.
Notable Traits
A key characteristic of muntjac deer is their distinctive vocalization, which sounds like a dog’s bark, earning them the nickname “barking deer.” This loud, repeated bark serves multiple purposes, including acting as an alarm call when they sense danger, communicating territorial boundaries, and playing a role in mating rituals. They may bark for extended periods, sometimes over an hour, to signal to a predator that it has been detected.
Unlike most deer species in temperate regions, muntjac deer do not have a defined breeding season and can reproduce throughout the year. Females can conceive again within days of giving birth, typically to a single fawn after a gestation period of about seven months. This continuous breeding cycle contributes to their rapid population growth in suitable habitats. Their diet is varied, consisting of herbs, leaves, shoots, berries, nuts, fungi, and tree bark, and they are known for their selective browsing habits. They have also been observed opportunistically eating bird eggs and carrion.