Muntzhak - description, habitat, lifestyle

The deer family has more than two dozen species and even more subspecies. But few people know the most ancient deer clan - muntzhaki. In this article we will learn all about this amazing and unusual beauty, who has come down to us from the most ancient times.

Appearance

The body length of a male individual averages from 90 to 150 centimeters at the withers. A muntjack can grow up to 70 centimeters in height - this is the maximum growth of a mature male.

The body is rather low, legs are short. The neck is also short, the back is slightly curved, rounded. The area from the nose to the eyes has virtually no hair. The ears are not sharp, have a rounded shape. The eyes are quite large, resembling dark grapes.

Males differ from females in a larger body size and more massive legs. Posture is more magnificent. They have small but sharp horns, half overgrown with wool. Such an amazing vestment looks truly unique - this is one of the most memorable features of this species.

Another distinguishing feature is the short front legs. The rear ones, on the contrary, are longer.

The coat of muntzhakov is sparse and short, resembling stubble. Relatives living in colder regions have a slightly thicker undercoat.

Depending on the habitat and gender, the color of the skin of the animal varies. It can be red, dark brown or even gray. Young growth, like almost all deer species, has a spotted color.

Accommodation: Territory

This family lives in dense thickets. Usually kept near water. Sometimes they climb the mountain slopes to a height of up to 4 thousand meters. Basically, all movements around the territory are performed in the dark, hence the shape and size of the eyes - like those of night residents. They feed on grass, leaves, berries and mushrooms.

In times of danger, the muntzhak makes a pronounced and characteristic sound for this species. Thus, warning his entire group about the danger. If the threat is too great, he barks for a long time.

Enemies

The main enemies for him are tigers, leopards and other large predators.

Unfortunately, the skin and meat of an animal is appreciated by people. Inhabitants of Asia consider the meat of this animal a special delicacy. So the main enemy for the muntzhak is man. In addition, some individuals are bred by farmers using their milk, and subsequently meat.

Breeding

In some regions, the birth rate of cubs occurs in the second half of the year. The female carries the baby for 6 months. One cub is born, sometimes two, but no more. A fawn weighs an average of 600 grams, plus or minus 50 grams.

Individuals become adults after six months. Puberty comes to males after 1 year, and to females after 8 months.

The life expectancy of these individuals ranges from 12 to 15 years.

Varieties

Around the world, there are about 12 varieties of mountjacks:

1. Bornean. Lives on the island of Kalimantan. Never drops horns.
2. Chinese. Lives in China and Taiwan. The most common species, brought to England, feels great in the wild.
3. Gigantic. A rare species of Tibet. He became known only in 1990.
4. Indian. Lives around the world. It can be found in India, China, Southeast Asia, islands and other warm regions, similar in climatic conditions.
5. Pu-hoa. The smallest subspecies, which weighs from 8 to 15 kilograms, were discovered recently - in 1998 in Vietnam.
6. Putao. It was found in Burma in the late 90s of the 20th century.
7. Barking. The largest subspecies, in height reaches 70 centimeters. It weighs up to 50 kilograms.

Also known species such as roosevelt, black, mountain, Fea. They became known to mankind quite late after the 90s of the 20th century, as well as some previously mentioned subspecies. Some of them are listed because of their small number in the Red Book.

Ancestors

50 million years ago, a cloven-hoofed representative and ancestor of Muntzhak Archiomerix, who weighed an average of 12 to 33 kilograms, lived on land. However, this animal did not have horns at all. Archiomeriks developed and formed, and have survived to this day in a different guise, having very unusual horns and the absence of hair from nose to eyes.

Muntzhaki are amazingly beautiful animals with their own characteristics and habits, voice and horns. Their uniqueness makes our world truly more unusual.

Video: Muntiac (Muntiacus)