muntjac

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Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi)

by Mark Walker

Body length- 90-100cm

Tail length- 15cm

Weight- 9-18kg

Its range is increasing

The tiny Chinese Muntjac has been introduced into Britain from its native China. It has a uniform brown coat and very small antlers. It is a solitary deer, sticking to its small territories and eating shrub leaves. Its most noticeable characteristic is its bark, which is loud and repeated many times. The Chinese Muntjac were introduced into Bedfordshire in the 1900s and rapidly spread.

The Muntjac is currently spreading rapidly in the United Kingdom. It has even reached as far as Scarborough North Yorkshire, and occurs in a number of locations near to Sheffield. However Muntjac have not spread naturally. People are responcible! AS people find these small animals attractive, some individuals have taken to 'kidnapping' individuals in there car and introducing them to other parts of the country. The spread of Muntjac could be seen easily, and there distribution showed a distinctive 'jump' pattern, with new groups being found every 60 km North. However, despite the fast spread of Muntjac, there distribution remains very patchily, and they are only locally abundant. This could change with time though, as the new groups spread and grow. Muntjac can cause a considerable problem though, as they rapidly eat there way through woodland ground vegetation, thus removing an important wildlife habitat.

Questions and Answers

Where does the Muntjac come from?
The Muntjac is not a native European deer but was introduced into Britain in the late 19th century. It was kept at Woburn in Bedfordshire but escaped founding wild populations. The Muntjac deer is increasing its range in Britain and can be found in woodland throughout the British midlands.

What does it look like?
The Muntjac is a very small deer and has a brown coat colour. Perhaps its most notable features are its distinctive dark facial markings and short slightly curved antlers.

How does it reproduce?
Muntjac have territories with the male territories covering several female territories. What makes the Muntjac different from other deer is that it can breed at any time of year. There is no fixed breeding period. This means Muntjac can quickly reproduce and spread into new areas.

What does it Eat?
It is a very secretive deer living in woodlands. It eats grass, brambles and other plants.

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