DSC5391 Muntjac... - a photo on Flickriver

            Muntjac Deer - Muntiacus reevesi
Doe

Reeves’ muntjac are small, stocky and russet brown in colour in summer and grey/brown in winter. Bucks have short (10 cm) antlers growing from long pedicles. Antlers are usually unbranched but a very short brow tine is occasionally found in old bucks. They also have visible upper canines (tusks) suggesting that they are a primitive species. Muntjac have two pairs of large glands on the face. The upper pair are the frontal glands, whilst the lower glands, below the eyes, are called sub-orbitals. Both glands are used to mark territories and boundaries. They have a ginger forehead with pronounced black lines running up the pedicles in bucks, and a dark diamond shape on does. The haunches are higher than the withers giving a hunched appearance. They have a fairly wide tail, which is held erect when disturbed.

Muntjac were brought from China to Woburn Park in Bedfordshire in the early 20th century. They are now widespread and increasing in number and range. Deliberate releases and escapes from Woburn, Northamptonshire, and Warwickshire led to the establishment of feral populations. Movement and release by humans led to their rapid spread across south and central England and Wales, however, north of the Humber distribution is patchy but reaches close to the Scottish border.

Muntjac like deciduous or coniferous forests, preferably with a diverse understorey. They are also found in scrub and overgrown urban gardens. Unlike other species of deer in Britain, muntjac do not cause significant damage to agricultural or timber crops. However, high densities may prevent coppice regeneration and the loss of some plants of conservation importance, such as primulas. Muntjac trophy hunting has only recently become popular so there is little tradition of muntjac stalking on country and forest estates. The most significant direct economic impact that muntjac have on human interests is in collisions with cars. However, this has welfare as well as economic implications.
In contrast to all other species of deer in Britain, muntjac do not have a defined breeding season (rut). Instead, they breed all year round and the does can conceive again within days of giving birth. Bucks may fight for access to does but remain unusually tolerant of subordinate males within their vicinity.

Does are capable of breeding at seven months old. After a gestation period of seven months, they give birth to a single kid and are ready to mate again within a few days.

Bucks can live up to 16 years and does up to 19 years, but these are exceptional.

Muntjac are generally solitary or found in pairs (doe with kid or buck with doe) although pair-bonding does not occur. Bucks defend small exclusive territories against other bucks whereas does' territories overlap with each other and with several bucks.

They are known as ‘barking deer’ from the repeated loud bark given under a number of circumstances. An alarmed muntjac may scream whereas maternal does and kids squeak.
Muntjac are active throughout the 24-hour period but make more use of open spaces during the hours of darkness in populations subject to frequent disturbance. Peak activity is at dawn and dusk. Long periods are spent ‘lying up’, where the deer lies down to ruminate after feeding.

Taken on: March 28, 2019

Tags:

Muntjac

Muntjac Deer

Deers

Animal

Animals

Mammal

Wildlife.

Wetlands

Woodlands

Woods

Woodland

Farmland

Forest

Forests

Forestry

Fields

Grasslands

Copse

Hedgerows

Hedges

Wildlife Photography

Jeff Lack Photography

Countryside

Norfolk

Nature

COTH

coth5 « less

Sets appears in: • Muntjac Deer

Groups appears in: • Wildlife Photography • UK Nature more » • NATUREPIX • UK Wildlife Trusts • Nature Watch UK • TMI: your ART & NATURE **NO PEOPLE OR MAN-MADE OBJECTS** P1♥C1 • The Worlds Best Nature, Wildlife, And Macro Photography • The European Nature And Wildlife Group • NATURE'S BEST • Damn! I Wish I'd Taken That!!! (Invite Only) Post 1-Award2 . • " COLORS OF NATURE (no B&W!, no people, no manmade things) • Official National Geographic Group • Nikon Nature Photography • Wildlife UK • NatureLovers • National Geographic Wild Life • National Geographic | World Wide • ***ANIMALS INTERNATIONAL*** New Title/Awards (NO PEOPLE) • #4 PLATINUM WILDLIFE/ Post 1 - Award 1 (P2-A2) with CODE • the RSPB • Wildlife of the British Isles • Colors Of The Heart! *Invited Images Only*! • Nikon - Nature • National Trust Wildlife • Natural Britain • RSPB Love Nature • UK - Wildlife & Nature • Nature- The Best of Flickr. • Nature's wildlife animals and birds • ! * The Beauty of Nature/ NO people! NO single buildings! P1/C2 • ! * Fantastic Nature Group *Moderated* » Post 1 and Award 1 « • ***Naturally Wonderful***[100% NATURE]NO PEOPLE/BUILDINGS/BOATS • Nikon WILDLIFE & NATURE • #3 PALLADIUM WILDLIFE/ Post 1 - Award 5 (P2-A10) with CODE • The Best Wildlife Photography on Planet Earth. • World of Wildlife • UK wild life watching • Nikon Nature • Nature of the British Isles • Wildlife and Landscape Photography • **FLORA & FAUNA INTERNATIONAL** 100%Nature~NO People/Buildings • Treasures of the World • * Wonderful World of Wildlife * • Wildlife Sightings UK • Nature's Elite/PLEASE ONLY NATURE PHOTOS • The Wonderful Wildlife UK • This is Nature • Worldwide Fauna • The World of Birds • Nature and Animals (Wild Only) • Natural variety / fauna - flora - sceneries • Stunning wildlife • Nature watch photography. • UK-Birds & Wildlife • The Best of British Birds and Wildlife « less

Stats: 7,512 views / 66 comments