Reeves' Muntjac
The Reeves' Muntjac, also known as the Chinese Muntjac, is a small, hump-backed deer species. It is named after British naturalist and employee of the East India Company, John Russell Reeves (1774 to 1856). Reeves came across them when he lived in China and sent specimens back to England. It is also called the “barking deer” due to its distinctive barking sound, although this name is also used for other Muntjac species. The barking sound is common during mating or when provoked.
The Reeves' Muntjac grows to 1 foot 8 inches high at the shoulder and 3 feet 1 inches in length plus a short tail up to 4 inches long. It is reddish-brown in appearance with striped markings on its face. The belly is creamy-white with lighter fur extending to the neck, chin and the underside of the tail. The males have short antlers, usually 4 inches or less in length, and long upper canines or tusks, usually about 2 inches in length
The Reeves' Muntjac is found widely in south east China (from Gansu to Yunnan) and Taiwan but it has also been introduced in Belgium, the Netherlands and Japan.
In the UK, it was introduced to Woburn Park in Bedfordshire in 1894 by the then Duke of Bedford and was deliberately released into surrounding woodlands from 1901 onward. Releases, translocations and escapes from the 1930s onwards resulted in wide establishment in south east England and the population is still increasing and spreading across the UK where it can be found in deciduous woodland with a good understorey plus hedgerows, gardens, parks, conifer plantations, railway embankments, etc. Since the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it has been illegal to release the species except where it is already established.
The Reeves' Muntjac is a solitary and crepuscular animal and both males and females defend small territories that they mark with preorbital gland secretions that are thought to be pheromonal in nature
The Reeves' Muntjac feeds on herbs, blossoms, succulent shoots, fungi, berries, grasses and nuts and it has also been reported to eat tree bark. Eggs and carrion are eaten opportunistically.
Date: 25th March 2021
Location: Laindon, Essex
The Reeves' Muntjac grows to 1 foot 8 inches high at the shoulder and 3 feet 1 inches in length plus a short tail up to 4 inches long. It is reddish-brown in appearance with striped markings on its face. The belly is creamy-white with lighter fur extending to the neck, chin and the underside of the tail. The males have short antlers, usually 4 inches or less in length, and long upper canines or tusks, usually about 2 inches in length
The Reeves' Muntjac is found widely in south east China (from Gansu to Yunnan) and Taiwan but it has also been introduced in Belgium, the Netherlands and Japan.
In the UK, it was introduced to Woburn Park in Bedfordshire in 1894 by the then Duke of Bedford and was deliberately released into surrounding woodlands from 1901 onward. Releases, translocations and escapes from the 1930s onwards resulted in wide establishment in south east England and the population is still increasing and spreading across the UK where it can be found in deciduous woodland with a good understorey plus hedgerows, gardens, parks, conifer plantations, railway embankments, etc. Since the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it has been illegal to release the species except where it is already established.
The Reeves' Muntjac is a solitary and crepuscular animal and both males and females defend small territories that they mark with preorbital gland secretions that are thought to be pheromonal in nature
The Reeves' Muntjac feeds on herbs, blossoms, succulent shoots, fungi, berries, grasses and nuts and it has also been reported to eat tree bark. Eggs and carrion are eaten opportunistically.
Date: 25th March 2021
Location: Laindon, Essex
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Also in: Other deer
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