Muntjac deer, often referred to as “barking deer” due to their distinct, dog-like alarm call, are among the oldest known deer species in the world. They are notably small, with some species standing only about 40 to 65 centimeters at the shoulder, giving them a hunched, fox-like silhouette. The physical features of the male, or buck, include short, often single-pointed antlers that grow from long, bony pedestals above the eyes. Bucks also possess a distinguishing characteristic: elongated, tusk-like upper canine teeth that protrude slightly from the mouth. Their coat ranges from a reddish-brown in summer to a greyer-brown during the winter months.
Native Range in Asia
The evolutionary home of the genus Muntiacus lies across South and Southeast Asia, a distribution that is both wide and fragmented. Various muntjac species inhabit regions from Pakistan eastward through the Indian subcontinent, extending across Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Vietnam. The Indian muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) is one of the most widespread species, found across much of the mainland and on Indonesian islands such as Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. The Reeves’ muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) is native to southeastern China, including the island of Taiwan. They are also found in the lower Himalayas, utilizing the Terai regions of Nepal and Bhutan.
Habitat Preferences and Adaptations
Muntjac deer are highly adapted to environments that provide dense vegetative cover. Preferred habitats include thick scrub, forest edges, and areas with abundant undergrowth in woodlands. They can thrive near human activity, often utilizing overgrown gardens and hedgerows. Their small stature allows them to navigate and hide effectively within dense thickets where larger deer cannot follow. They are primarily solitary browsers, feeding selectively on shoots, leaves, herbs, and fruit, including common species like bramble and raspberry; they can live from sea level up to 3,000 meters, though access to water is important.
Established Populations Outside the Native Range
Muntjac deer outside of Asia are primarily a result of introductions, with the most successful establishment occurring in the United Kingdom. This non-native population is descended from the Reeves’ muntjac, first imported to the deer park at Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire in the late 19th century. A total of 24 individuals were imported between 1894 and 1905 by the 11th Duke of Bedford, a keen zoologist. Escapes and deliberate releases allowed the deer to establish a feral population that spread rapidly by the 1920s and 1930s, fueled by the lack of natural predators and a year-round breeding cycle. Today, the muntjac has colonized much of southern and central England, extending its range into Wales and parts of Scotland. As an invasive species, their selective browsing damages native ground flora and prevents woodland understory regeneration; established non-native populations also exist in Japan, though a small introduced population in France is now considered extinct.