History of... Muntjac Deer

Name:
Muntjac Deer

Scientific Name:
Muntaiacus

Family:
Cervidae

Conservation Status:
Least concern

Habitation:
Dense, low-level cover, such as broadleaf and coniferous woodlands, scrub, and overgrown gardens.

First Discovered:
It is thought that they have existed for 15 to 35 million years

Appearance:
They are small, stocky, dog sized deer with a distinctive hunched appearance, as their hind legs are longer than their front legs. They have a reddish brown coat in the summer that turns dull grey in winter, prominent scent glands on their faces, and males boast sharp, protruding canine tusks and short backward curving antlers.
They are around 45 to 52 cm (18 to 20 inches) tall at the shoulder and are 77 to 91 cm (30 to 36 inches) long.
Adults weigh between 9 and 18 kg (20 to 40 lbs), with males (bucks) being slightly larger than females (does).

Behaviour and social structure:
Muntjac deer are solitary, territorial animals. Males defend small exclusive home areas, while females have overlapping areas. They do not form herds. Instead, they live alone or in brief mother and fawn pairs.

Diet:
Their diet consists of shrubs, tree shoots, brambles, herbs, nuts, berries, and fungi. As they browse close to the ground, they frequently damage low growth woodland flowers and garden plants.

Breeding:
Muntjac deer breed all year round and do not have a specific breeding season. Females (does) are able to mate again within days of giving birth to a single young (fawn).

Threats to population:
Muntjac deer are considered an invasive species in the UK. Due to reproducing rapidly all year and lack major natural predators. Their main threats are intentional human population control (culling), road traffic accidents, and harsh winters

History:
Muntjac deer are the oldest known living deer. Native to South and Southeast Asia they were introduced to the UK in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
After escaping into the wild, they are now common and rapidly expanding their population in the UK.

Photograph: National Trust