Tag: Antelope

Musk deer

Alpine musk deer
Anhui musk deer
Chinese forest musk deer (dwarf musk deer)
Dusky musk deer
Kashmir musk deer
siberian musk deer
White-bellied musk deer

There are 7 musk deer species. As with other pages like this, should the amount of content information on a specific species of musk deer grow, or there become opportunities to see one of these species in the wild, it will get its own page (though it should be noted that it will still be linked from this page.

The first thing to note, is that musk deer are actually not deer. Rather than being members of the Cervidae family, they are closely related to the Bovidae family. There are a few things that they miss, that all deer have – no antlers, no preorbital glands, but they do only have a single pair of teats and a gallbladder, and caudal gland. They also have a pair of canine tusks (which is one of the most notable things about them) and lastly, a musk gland, which lead to them being hunted by humans, as the financial rewards are quite high.

Alpine Musk deer

Found in the Eastern himilayas, It is the state animal of Uttarakhand. There are 2 recognized subspecies. It is found at heights of 3000m-5000m.

Poaching for its musk does threaten its ongoing survival. By the 1980s the population was estimated at just 3000. It is unclear what has happened since. 

Anhul Musk deer 

They do not thrive in captivity. It has been previously considered a subspecies of two other musk deer. It is found in Debie mountains in Western China

It is considered endangered.

Chinese forest Musk (dwarf) deer 

Found in Southern and central China, there are 4 recognized subspecies.

  • Moschus berezovskii berezovskii Flerov, 1929
  • Moschus berezovskii bijiangensis Wang & Li, 1993
  • Moschus berezovskii caobangis Dao, 1969
  • Moschus berezovskii yanguiensis Wang & Ma, 1993

It is as a species considered endangered, this makes it quite likely that some of its subspecies are very close to extinction.

Dusky Musk deer 

Also known as the black musk deer, it is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar and Nepal, it is nocturnal and highly solitary (females will on occasion allow other females to babysit). Males fight aggressively for territory. Like many similar species, they are incredible mountaineers, in their home in the mountains, and can often be seen standing on cliffs that do not look like they could stay balenced. They are also capable of climbing trees. They are predated by various species, in particular lynx, many of which will specialize on hunting this species.

It is currently considered endangered.

Kashmir Musk deer 

Found in Afghanistan, India and Pakistan (as well as possibly western Nepal).

In Afghanistan, no sightings were recorded between 1948 and 2008, but a proper survey recorded 3 sightings in 2009, so they do still cling on here. Although thought to be fragmented, there is much space for these species in Afghanistan, so there is hope that this species will recover.

It is considered endangered, as a result of habitat loss, and hunting for their scent glands.

Siberian Musk deer 

Found in the forests of Northeast asia, common in the Taiga, but also found in Mongolia and on the Korean Peninsula. They are good at hiding from predators, and can run fast when required.

As with some other species, hunting for their musk glands is having an impact on the species, and 30% reduction is expected over the next 3 generations. They have a large range, and there are 5 recognized subspecies

Siberia, North Mongolia, Russia, North China and Korea – M. m. moschiferus[1]

Russian Far East – M. m. turovi

Verkhoyansk Ridge – M. m. arcticus

Sakhalin – M. m. sachalinensis

Korea – M. m. parvipes

There are currently thought to be around 230,000 in the wild, but the number is declining.

White-bellied Musk deer (it is also known as the Himalayan Musk deer)

It is found throughout the Himalayas, and is listed as endangered with serious population decline. They are generally found at heights of over 2500m. They generally occupy a home range of around 22 hectares,

Males are fiercely territorial and will only let females enter. They can live 10-14 years. Predators include Leopard, snow leopard, red fox and grey wolf.

Status, while protected across much of its range, enforcement has proved useless, and as such there is still much hunting going on,

Efforts are being made to farm the species, though they dont appear to cope healthwise with captivity. The ability to harvest the musk while the deer is alive, is also being worked on – this may allow harvesting without killing the animal – making their population far more stable.

Moschidae family and the Muntjacs

Had all of the species found in this family been alive, this family would have been around 3 times larger. The only family that is still alive is the Musk deer.

There are 12 Muntjac species. Now hopefully, at some point the amount of news and information on each species will warrant a different page for each species. However, until that time, there will just be one page (this one).

Bornean yellow muntjac
Fea's muntjac
Giant muntjac (large antlered muntjac
Gongshan muntjac
Hairy-fronted or black-fronted muntjac
Leaf muntjac
Southern red muntjac, or malabar red muntjac (also Indian or Malabar muntjac) Many subspecies
Northern red muntjac
Pu hot muntjac
Reeves or chinese muntjac photo credit rufus46
Roosevelt muntjacs - camera trap in xuan luen reserve credit xuan lien reserve
Truong Son muntjac

Muntjac are an ancient species, having first appeared 15-35 million years ago. What is more, fossils from this period show that Muntjac once lived in Europe, with fossil deposits found in France, Germany and Poland.

This perhaps explains how easily this species has become an invasive species. In parts of the UK, they are the most common deer species to see. Indeed, some of the subspecies are more common outside their natural range than in. Below I will deal with each species in turn. As I say above, should any of these sub-articles get big enough, I will move them off the page. Where ever the information is, you will be able to reach each species information by clicking on its photo

Borneon Yellow Muntjac: endemic (only found in) to the rainforests of Borneo. There is another muntjac species that is found in Borneo the Southern red muntjac, or the common muntjac (this will be dealt with on its own page). It has small horns, only 7 cm long, and is smaller than the common muntjac. Its yellow back also helps differentiate it. Never-the-less, it was only recognized as a separate species in 1982, and there has not been much study done in it since.

Its conservation status is considered least concern, though the population is decreasing. Having said this, given the lack of dedicated study, we do not really know what is going on.

Fea’s Muntjac: Found in southern Myanmar and Thailand, it is considered rare. It has a similar size to the common muntjac, and inhabits upland evergreen, mixed or shrub forest. It takes its name from a zoologist Leonard Fea. It is found in the Tenasserin hillls, that lie along the border between of the two countries.

Its conservation status is considered endangered

Giant Muntjac: also known as the large-antlered muntjac. It was discovered in 1994, in Loas and Vietnam. 38 specimens were caught analysed and rereleased. As a result of slash-and-burn agriculture along with hunting.. They share their home with Leopards and Tigers, so there is a certain amount of natural predation that goes on. 

Its conservation status is critically endangered

Gonshan Muntjac: 

Found in Southeast Tibet, Northeast India and Myanmar. They are regularly hunted, which could threaten their survival. Having said this, while they have not been successful in getting an accurate count, they are regularly encountered, which suggests that they are not endangered.  Khakaborazi National Park and the Hponkanrazi Wildlife Sanctuary are two reserves where their population is good. 

Not currently considered endangered.

 

Hairy fronted (or black fronted ) Muntjac: 

Found in 3 provinces in China, there are some questions as to whether this is the same species as the Gonshon Muntjac.

It is considered endangered with just 5000-10,000 left in the wild. It was considered highly endangered as early as 1975, only being known from a few museum specimens. In 1990 it was thought to have 10,000 individuals, but recent assessments suggest a current population of around 7000.

Leaf Muntjac: 

Discovered by Alan Rabinowitz in 1997 when examining the carcass of a small deer – initially thinking it was the juvenile of another species he realized it was an adult. It is found in Myanmar and India. It is found at heights of 450-600m which is the transition from tropical to temperate forests.

Conservation status is data deficient, but continued hunting would suggest that the population is falling whatever level it is.

Red Muntjac or Southern red Muntjac: 

Until recently, thought to be the same species as the Indian and the Common Muntjac. It is an omnivore, eating fruit, shoots, grass and seeds, alongside birds eggs, small animals and carrion.

It is considered least concern

Northern red Muntjac: 

Found across many countries in South central and South-Eastern Asia. There are still several subspecies, though it was until recently thought to be the same species as the Southern Red Muntjac.

It is considered least concern, and appears to cope with high hunting pressures as well as changes in its home due to climate change.

Pu hoat Muntjac: 

Only found in the Pu Hoat region of Vietnam, close to Laos, it has only been recorded once, and is thought to be similar to the Roosevelt Muntjac.

Reeves or Chinese Muntjac: 

Found in Southern China and Taiwan, it has been introduced to United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Japan. It was discovered by John Reeves in the 18th century. It feeds on all forms of plant, and will eat bark. It is also known to eat birds eggs and carrion if it gets the chance. It is included on a list of species that cannot be imported into the EU due to the threat it can cause. In 2008 Reeves Muntjac was estimated to have a UK population of over 100,000.

It is considered least concern it its home country, and is quite common 

Roosevelt Muntjac: 

A single specimen was presented to the field museum after a trip organised by Theodore Junior. 

Many consider it a subspecies of the Fey Muntjac, and has officially been extinct since 1929 – though there have been sightings in Northeast Laos and close by in Vientam. A camera trap in Xuan Lien Nature Reserve in Vietnam appear to have identified two individuals, which suggests that it cannot be extinct.

Truong Son Muntjac:

Found in the Truong Son mountains, it was only discovered in 1997.

It is considered data deficient in terms of deciding its status.

Mouse deer

Now, it should be noted that should you search for mouse deer, you get results for the whole Chevrotain family, but here we are actually talking about the Mouse deer of the family. Chevrotain is used as a replacement for all of the species in this family of species (10) so care should be taken when looking at what is being spoken about.

The genus Tragulus, which originates in 2 words. Firstly, Tragos which is a Greek word meaning male goat, and the latin word ulus which means tiny.

williams mouse deer
Greater mouse-deer
Vietnam mouse-deers (Tragulus versicolor)
Philippine mouse-deer
Lesser mouse-deer

All these species are nocturnal and behave in a similar way. They feed on leaves, fruit grasses and other vegetation that they encounter. They live in the dense forest undergrowth. This can have so much cover, that individuals freezing could be incredibly effective. It would be quite possible for a leopard to walk past a mouse deer that is curled up in the undergrowth and have no idea that anything was there.

They do not grow horns or antlers, though the males grow a pair of teeth which are particularly long – which are used in fighting.

It is unfortunate, but in general each of these separate species are considered data deficient. This ranges from some which are only occasionally seen, but have been recorded over a large area, to the Vietnam mouse-deer, which has only been recorded as having had 4 sightings. The other problem, is that it is only recent that the 6 different species were formally decided upon. Due to the fact that many are similar, and ranges often overlap it means that not only are historic data less reliable, but also even now, unless the sighting is made by an expert, only a good photo can allow us to clearly tell which species has been found

Water Chevrotain

The water Chevrotain is the only species that lies in the Genus Hyemoschus, which is one of 3 genus in the family Tragulidae. Chevrotain means mouse deer

It should be noted, that while in Africa there is a clear understanding between Chevrotain and mouse deer in Asia these two terms are sometimes used interchangeably. The water Chevrotain is the largest in its family, though this is not saying much as it is the size of a large dog.

Unusually, while the males are around 10kg, the females are around 12kg,

Found in the tropics of Africa, it is usually found in coastal areas, though it can be found all the way from Siera Leone to Western Uganda.

It is exclusively nocturnal, foraging for food in clearings in forests. Fallen fruits, such as figs, palm nuts, and breadfruit makes up the majority of his diet. However, it has been known to eat insects, crabs, and even  scavenged meat and fish.

They are exclusively solitary, only coming together to reproduce and to fight. they are heavily territorial.

Population is estimated at 278,000, and it is found through much the forests of central and western Africa

Ruminenta

These are hoofed grazing or browsing mammals. It includes around 200 living species as well as numerous extinct species. Ruminants are split into 2 rather lopsided families. Trevlotain (which are water Chevrotain) split first. The rest lie in the family Pecora. As such, you will find this family tree lower down the page.

Trevlotain (Chevrotain and Mouse Deer) -Water Chevrotain
Antilocapridae - Pronghorn Antelope
Girafidae - Giraffe
Red deer
Bovini Family - here an African Buffalo
Moschidae - Siberian Musk deer

The first family is Tragulina is an infraorder of even-toed ungulates. It contains just one Genus Tragulidae and this contains just one group of species the Chevrotains and mouse-deer. This is the only Ruminant family, which is not in the Pecora family

Every other part of this family falls in the tribe Pecora

Massai Giraffe

massai Giraffe (picture by David Sluka

Also called the Kilimanjaro Giraffe, this giraffe is found in Tanzania and Kenya. Its blotches are (as you can see) very irregular and are leaf shaped. There are around 32,000 of this species of giraffe left in the wild, so while it has suffered huge falls in its population over the last few decades, it is in a far better position than 2 subspecies.

Reticulated Giraffe

Reticulated giraffe

The reticulated giraffe is a subspecies, with an instantly recognizable pattern. Found in Somalia, southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya. there are currently 8500 remaining in the wild. In just the last 20 years, the population has fallen from 36,000 a reduction of over 75%. Lakipia Plateau and Samburu National Reserve are the two reserves where it is easiest to see this species in the wild.

They are similar enough to other giraffe species to be able to interbreed.

This is the subspecies of giraffe which David Schwimmer voices in Madagascar.

Okapi

The Okapi

The Okapi is a little known species from the Giraffidae family (indeed the only non-giraffe in the family), Also known as the Forest giraffe, Congo Giraffe and Zebra Giraffe

It is found in the dense jungle of the North-East democratic republic of the Congo, which makes it incredibly hard to see, and is perhaps the reason that it was not described or discovered by Europeans until the 20th century. Indeed, the long time before which Europeans saw this animal lead to its nickname the Unicorn. This is not to say that no one knew about it – it appears to be depicted on the facade of the Apadana at Persepolis – in the modern country of Iran. It was gifted to them, by the kingdom of Ethiopia.

It lies in its own genus Okapia. Females are pregnant for around 15 months before a single calf is born. They live in canopy forests at altitudes of 500m to 1600m. While it will not inhabit forest that has been disturbed by humans, scientists have found that in suitable forest, it can live at densities of around 2 per square mile. While this is low, it suggests that even with relatively little habitat saved, we could retain healthy populations of this animal. Given its secretive habits, little is known about it, perhaps made clear by the fact that it was only found for the first time in 2008 in the Virungas national park.

A place that is more well known for Okapi is the Okapi wildlife reserve, which covers around 20% of the Ituri forest. At 14,000 square km, if this reserve was not disturbed by humans this area alone could support around 15,000 individuals. With a healthy population of Chimpanzees (as well as 14 other primates) forest elephants, leopards and forest buffalo, it has a great deal of potential for tourism, to help conserve this forest.

Major threats to their survival are logging, which is destroying their habitat, and illegal mining. Unfortunately, being a large forest species, they are also hunted in the bushmeat trade as well as their skin, and do not reproduce rapidly.

It is listed as near threatened, with population estimates lying between 10,000 and 35,000 (this is an incredibly wide estimate band). Few tourists reach its home, and as such there is currently little reason for the locals to protect them – hopefully this can change in the future.

4 horned antelope

4 horned antelope

This is a small species of antelope that is found in India and Nepal. the sole member of its genus Teracenus (and only sharing its tribe Boselaphini with the Nilgai). First described in 1816, it has 3 recognized subspecies. It is quite hard to find, but feeds on grass shrubs herbs foliage flowers and fruit.

 

They tend to hide in long grass, and the undergrowth, which is why it is only areas like this that they are usually found in.

 

Population estimate in 2001 was put at 10,000. While they are wide spread, they live at low densities (0.7 per square km is considered healthy).

Below is a video of this species, and below this is a list of articles on this species; this is a relatively obscure antelope, but should it be written about, you will find all these articles listed here.

There are a variety of reserves where they can be seen. including Pench Kanha and Gir to name just a few. As the website grows, we hope to link to many of these places. These will all be listed at the bottom of the page.

 

Nilgai

Nilgai

The Nilgai – the name translates to blue cow (it appears to be an amalgamation of Nil and Gai from Hindi), is the largest antelope to be found in Asia (both species of Eland and the roan antelope from Africa are larger). It is the sole member of the genus Boselaphus (as well as being only 1 of 2 species in the tribe Boselaphini.

Typically found either in mothers and small calf group, mothers and older calf groups, or bachelor herds. They generally have a lifespan of around 10 years. Preferring areas with scattered small bushes and trees, they are found in Indian and Nepal Terai which is a lowland area with long grass, and rich savannah. There is also a feral population in Texas, which numbers 37,000. They are not endangered at the current time.

They damage crops, which leads to them being classed as vermin in parts of their range.

The Indian population is estimated at 1 million. It is widespread in Northern India, which means that it is found in many of the best known tiger reserves, but these 2 are examples Gir National Park (Gujarat); Bandhavgarh National Park.

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