Barking Deer(Muntiacus muntjak)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artidactyla
Suborder: ------
Family: Cervidae
Genus: Muntiacus
Species: muntjak
Subspecies: ------
Muntjak is the oldest species of deer. It exists on the planet at least 15 to 30 million years..
Muntjak is crepuscular animals (active at dusk and dawn). They are occasionally active during the night.
Muntjak is an important source of bush meat.
Description: | The more common of the two small Indian forest ruminants, the Barking Deer has a glossy brown coat with no under fur. |
Size: | Male: 100 to 110 cm Female: 75 to 90 cm |
Height: | Male: 50 to 75 cm Female: 45 to 65 cm |
Weight: | Male: 14 to 28 kg Female: 12 to 20 kg |
Diet: | Grass, fruits, shoots, seeds, birds' eggs as well as small animals. |
Sexual maturity: | Male: 11 to 12 months Female: 7 to 9 months |
Estrous phase: | 2 to 3 days |
Gestation Period: | 180 days |
Young per birth: | 1fawn |
Life span: | In wild: 10 to 15years In captivity: 20 years |
Habitat: | Prefers hilly and moist areas in thick deciduous and evergreen forests. |
Distribution: | India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, the Indonesian islands, Taiwan and Southern China. |
Current Population Status: | Decreasing |
IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern |