The Reeves' Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) feeds on herbs, blossoms, succulent shoots, grasses and nuts, and was also reported to eat trees. It takes its native to China and Taiwan.
Male Muntjac Deer - WWC Archives
Description[]
This muntjac grows to 0.5m high at the shoulder, 0.95 m (37 inches) in length, and weighs between 10 and 18 kg (22-40 pounds) when fully grown. It is dog-like in appearance but has striped markings on its face. The male has short antlers, usually four inches or less, and uses them to push enemies off balance so he can wound them with his upper two inch canine teeth. The antlers can regrow, but they tend to fight for territory with their "tusks" (downward pointing canine teeth). The presence of these "tusks" is otherwise unknown in native British wild deer and can be discriminatory when trying to differentiate a Muntjac from an immature native deer although Chinese Water Deer also have visible tusks (downward pointing canine teeth) but are much less widespread.
The Reeves' Muntjac is also called the barking deer, known for its distinctive bark. They can often be heard at night ast they make a barking sound.
Introduction to England[]
Reeves's Muntjac has been introduced to England, with wild deer originating from escapes from Woburn Park around 1925. Muntjac have expanded very rapidly and are now present in most English counties south of the M62 and have also expanded their range into Wales. The British Deer Society coordinated a survey of wild deer in the UK between 2005 and 2007 and reported that muntjac deer had noticeably expanded their range since the previous census in 2000. It is anticipated that muntjac may soon become the most numerous species of deer in England.
Males have short antlers, which can regrow, but they tend to fight for territory with their "tusks" (downward pointing canine teeth). The presence of these "tusks" is otherwise unknown in native British wild deer and can be discriminatory when trying to differentiate a Muntjac from an immature native deer although Chinese Water Deer also have visible tusks (downward pointing canine teeth) but are much less widespread.
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