Mammal Identification
Muntjac Muntiacus reevesi
Identification features
- Relatively large mammal with longs legs (standing at 50cm excluding the antlers, about the same size as a medium sized dog)
- Males have short unbranched antlers which point backwards away from the face
- Conspicuous ears
- Head has black stripes from antlers.
- Face has protruding tusks from the mouth
- Fur colour is reddish-brown in summer and sandy coloured in winter
- Tail is short and brown on top and white underneath
- Rump patch is absent
Muntjac deer are recorded in broadleaved woodland where they can appear to go unnoticed.
They are most active at dusk and dawn.
Other identification clues:
Sounds
During the rut (mid July to August) males can be heard 'barking.'
Skulls and antlers
Muntjac lose their antlers after the rut which can sometimes be found on the ground.
They are relatively short compared to the fallow and red deer and are unbranched ending in a single pointing backwards away from the face.
Droppings
Muntjac deer droppings are black in colour when fresh and have cylinder shape with a point at one end and a dimple at the other.