Species

Muntjac Deer
(Muntiacus reevesi)

History and current status

At least five species of muntjac are known, with a distribution from Pakistan to Java and north to mainland China. Two species have been brought to Britain:

The larger Indian muntjac was brought to Woburn Park in about 1900. This was eliminated in the park but survived as escapes, or as the progeny of escapes, until 1925.

The smaller Reeves' muntjac was introduced before 1900 and flourished, spreading into surrounding woodlands. (1). In spite of contemporary doubts, it does not hybridise with the Indian species.

The spread of the Reeves' muntjac throughout the Midlands over the last 80 years is shown in the distribution map. Records of small colonies outside the main areas suggest human intervention(1).

Owing to their subtropical origin in southern China, muntjac are not seasonal breeders(2). They produce single fawns every seven months, gestation is 210 days and lactation is six to eight weeks. Mating follows quickly after parturition. Pelage (spring and autumn) and, to some extent, antler growth (most adult bucks are in velvet in early summer) have adapted to the British climate(3).

Muntjac are territorial and the social unit is a family group, with young adults being driven off before the arrival of the next fawn(4). Males make large scrapes and fray on low branches using their tusks, not their antlers. The tusks are the muntjac's primary weapons, showing its primitive ancestry. Both sexes bark like a small dog at intruders, often continuing for many minutes.

Their preferred foods are ivy, bramble, coppice shoots, flowers and seeds of many plants, also fruit, nuts, dead leaves, fungi and market garden produce. They seem primarily animals of dense woodland, although analysis of the occurrence of sightings suggest their habitat preferences are very catholic (1).

Little is known so far about predation, parasites and disease, but traffic accidents and loose dogs may kill many every year. Severe winter weather may lead to high mortality.

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