Tufted Deer
Encyclopedia
The Tufted Deer is a small species of deer characterized by its prominent tuft of black hair on its forehead. It is a close relative of the muntjac
, living somewhat further north over a wide area of central China
and northeastern Myanmar
. Although suffering from overhunting and habitat loss, this deer is not considered to be endangered. It is the only member
of the genus Elaphodus.
It is restricted to forested mountain habitat
up to 4500 meters above sea level, making study difficult.
The tufted deer is similar to a muntjac
in appearance, but the longer necks and legs give it a slightly leaner appearance. The coat is coarse with short and stiff hairs, being almost black in the winter and chocolate brown in the summer. The lips, tip of the ears, and the underside of the tails are white. Perhaps the most striking feature of this deer is a tuft of horseshoe shaped hair on the forehead, being brown to black in color, and could be up to 17 cm in length. The white tail is used as a signal of alarm before escaping.
The tufted deer is a small deer, but still larger than most muntjac species. It could stand up to 50 – 70 cm at the shoulder, and the weight varies greatly from 17 – 50 kg. The tail is short at around 10 cm in length. The antler is only present in males and is extremely short, almost hidden by its long tuft of hair. Male deers also have long and sharp canines that protrude out of their mouths like fangs.
The tufted deer is found mainly in China, where it occurs in the south from eastern coast to eastern Tibet
. It is absent from the extreme south of the country. There are old records of this species in northeastern Myanmar, but recent surveys failed to find any, possibly due to the lack of surveys on the preferred habitat.
The tufted deer inhabits high, damp forests from 500m asl to 4500 asl, close to the tree line. It is found in both evergreen and deciduous forests with extensive understory and nearby freshwater supply. The availability of salt lick
s is also a positive factor to the presence of this animal. This deer is able to withstand minor human disturbances, and is occasionally found in cultivated lands.
and travels in fixed routes about its territory, which is vigorously defended by the males. This is a timid animal and prefer places with good cover, where it is well camouflaged. It is easily disturbed and when alarmed it will let out a bark before running away in a wild pattern, displaying its white rump with every jump and flops down after, making it difficult for the enemy to follow.
The mating season occurs between September and December, during which the loud barks males make could be easily heard. The gestation period lasts about 6 months and a litter of 1 - 2 is born in early summer. The young becomes sexually mature at the age of 1 – 2 years, and could live up to 10 – 12 years in the wild. The life span is much shorter in captivity, at about 7 years due to the frequent visits by humans makes this shy animal uncomfortable.
Muntjac
Muntjac, also known as Barking Deer and Mastreani Deer, are small deer of the genus Muntiacus. Muntjac are the oldest known deer, appearing 15–35 million years ago, with remains found in Miocene deposits in France, Germany and Poland....
, living somewhat further north over a wide area of central China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and northeastern Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
. Although suffering from overhunting and habitat loss, this deer is not considered to be endangered. It is the only member
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
of the genus Elaphodus.
It is restricted to forested mountain habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
up to 4500 meters above sea level, making study difficult.
Subspecies
Four subspecies of the tufted deer are recognized, with one having doubtful taxonomic status:- E. c. cephalophus - The largest subspecies, brownish coat, found in southwestern China and northeastern Myanmar.
- E. c. michianus - Has a relatively narrow snout, found in southeastern China.
- E. c. ichangensis - Has a relatively broad snout and a greyish coat, found in Central China.
- E. c. forciensus - Doubtful subspecies, distribution unclear.
Description
Muntjac
Muntjac, also known as Barking Deer and Mastreani Deer, are small deer of the genus Muntiacus. Muntjac are the oldest known deer, appearing 15–35 million years ago, with remains found in Miocene deposits in France, Germany and Poland....
in appearance, but the longer necks and legs give it a slightly leaner appearance. The coat is coarse with short and stiff hairs, being almost black in the winter and chocolate brown in the summer. The lips, tip of the ears, and the underside of the tails are white. Perhaps the most striking feature of this deer is a tuft of horseshoe shaped hair on the forehead, being brown to black in color, and could be up to 17 cm in length. The white tail is used as a signal of alarm before escaping.
The tufted deer is a small deer, but still larger than most muntjac species. It could stand up to 50 – 70 cm at the shoulder, and the weight varies greatly from 17 – 50 kg. The tail is short at around 10 cm in length. The antler is only present in males and is extremely short, almost hidden by its long tuft of hair. Male deers also have long and sharp canines that protrude out of their mouths like fangs.
Habitat and Distribution
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
. It is absent from the extreme south of the country. There are old records of this species in northeastern Myanmar, but recent surveys failed to find any, possibly due to the lack of surveys on the preferred habitat.
The tufted deer inhabits high, damp forests from 500m asl to 4500 asl, close to the tree line. It is found in both evergreen and deciduous forests with extensive understory and nearby freshwater supply. The availability of salt lick
Salt lick
A mineral lick is a natural mineral deposit where animals in nutrient-poor ecosystems can obtain essential mineral nutrients...
s is also a positive factor to the presence of this animal. This deer is able to withstand minor human disturbances, and is occasionally found in cultivated lands.
Behavior and Reproduction
The tufted deer is mainly solitary or found in pairs. It is crepuscularCrepuscular
Crepuscular animals are those that are active primarily during twilight, that is during dawn and dusk. The word is derived from the Latin word crepusculum, meaning "twilight." Crepuscular is, thus, in contrast with diurnal and nocturnal behavior. Crepuscular animals may also be active on a bright...
and travels in fixed routes about its territory, which is vigorously defended by the males. This is a timid animal and prefer places with good cover, where it is well camouflaged. It is easily disturbed and when alarmed it will let out a bark before running away in a wild pattern, displaying its white rump with every jump and flops down after, making it difficult for the enemy to follow.
The mating season occurs between September and December, during which the loud barks males make could be easily heard. The gestation period lasts about 6 months and a litter of 1 - 2 is born in early summer. The young becomes sexually mature at the age of 1 – 2 years, and could live up to 10 – 12 years in the wild. The life span is much shorter in captivity, at about 7 years due to the frequent visits by humans makes this shy animal uncomfortable.