Saturday, 04 February 2012
Muntjac Deer
Scientific Name:
Muntiacus reevesi
Height:
45-52 cm shoulder height
Weight:
12-15kg
Lifespan:
Up to 20 years
Also Known As:
Reeves' Muntjac deer, Chinese muntjac, barking deer Description
A small dark red/brown deer with white underside to the head and throat and a white rump.
Distribution
Originating in China, muntjacs were introduced to Woburn park in Bedfordshire in the early 1900s. Escapees during the past century have successfully reproduced in the wild and created significant populations across many parts of the south of England.
Habitat
Muntjacs prefer sheldered areas that can provide good protection from the elements and potential predators. Usually found in woodlands or amongst dense vegetation amd long grass. Also found in scrub and over-grown gardens in urban areas.
Diet
Selective feeders that take small morsels from nutritious plants. Diet varies according to region and availability but may include herbs, brambles, ivy, heather, bilberry and coppice shoots.
Behaviour
Generally solitary or found in pairs (doe with kid or buck with doe) although pair-bonding does not occur. Bucks defend small exclusive territories against other bucks whereas does' territories overlap with each other and with several bucks A common name for muntjac is "barking deer" resulting from the repeated, loud bark given under a number of circumstances. An alarmed muntjac may scream whereas maternal does and kids squeak. In contrast to all other species of deer in Britain, muntjac do not have a defined breeding season (rut). Instead, they breed all year round and the does can conceive again within days of giving birth. Bucks may fight for access to does but remain unusually tolerant of subordinate males within their vicinity. Muntjac are active throughout the 24-hour period but make more use of open spaces during the hours of darkness in populations experiencing frequent disturbance. Peak times of activity are at dawn and dusk. After feeding long periods are spent "lying up", which is where the deer lies down to ruminate.
Reproduction
Breeding throughout the year, the muntjac has a gestation period of approximately 7 months. The young fawn will usually be weaned by it's mother for a further 8 weeks before becoming fully independent Muntjac are capable of breeding at 8 months old and breed all year round. After a gestation period of 7 months the doe gives birth to a single kid and is ready to mate again within a few days.
Status
Introduced. Widespread and increasing in number and range.
Footprint Description
The main characteristic of Muntjac prints is that they invariably show one cleave longer than the other, regardless of the speed of travel. Inside edge of cleaves slightly concave,forward edge pointed.
Footprint Size
Variable, but usually 3cm or less. Stride 25-30cm.
Droppings Description
Droppings are rounded,with visible striations and black when fresh. Sometimes deposited in a clump like other deer species, but also ,and more often, spread individually.Size approx 1cm diameter. Muntjac use regular latrines, sometimes these may be a shallow scrape on the woodland floor,under dense cover or trees.