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ANIMAL OF THIS MONTH – BARKING DEER
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 Hi Kids, We are happy that you are visiting our Animal World every month. In this page, DF-WildKids is presenting you with amazing facts and information about varies types of animals. Our animal of this month is “Barking deer or Muntjac.” Lets enter this world..

Common Name :  Barking Deer              Family : Cervidae

Zoological Name : Muntiacus

Habitats : Tropical forests, grasslands

Height and Weight : Maximum weight : 17 kg.  Height : Upto 50 cm.

Life Span : 17-18 years

Why this deer is named “Barking” deer?   Muntjacs have a peculiar calling sound that resembles the barking sound of a dog. They use to ‘bark’ to alert other deer when they are in danger or a predator is around them. They use the barking sound as their means of communication too. Amazing thing is, they could ‘bark’ for more than one hour, continuously.

Where are they found? Muntjac population is dense in South Asian Countries such as India, Srilanka, Indonesia, Southern  China and some parts of Japan. Mostly they are found in large numbers in tropical countries.  Tropical forests, grasslands and subtropical jungles are their habitats.

How many different varieties of Muntjacs are there? Muntjacs are one of the oldest species of our planet and this small deer family have 12 subspecies all around the world.

Do they have any special behaviors and appearances?  With a thick golden tan skin, they could save themselves from varies weather conditions. Males have  tiny antlers with a length of 10-15 cm and they will grow again if they lose their antlers in fight or accidents.  Male Muntjacs have a small tusk like canine teeth too. Females have no antlers except a bony (dark brown) mound in their head. Muntjacs like to live in their own territories and they mark their territories by rubbing a fluid (produced from a gland below their eyes) on the plants. (You could see this gland in the following image!) Young ones of Muntjacs have white spots on their body which helps them to be unnoticed by predators. They leave their mother after 6 months and make their own territory.

Muntjac – female What do they eat? Muntjacs are omnivores! They feed on the plant source available in their habitats. Small sized animals and eggs are also on their diet.

Do they have enemies? Their common enemies are the predators in jungles. Apart from that, they are hunted for their skin and meat. They could harm the agricultural crops near the forest areas and these species are being hunted for that too.

What is the conservation status of this animal? Muntjacs have a good population and its conservation status is “Least concern.”