The
Formosan reeve's muntjac is the smallest deer in the Cervadie
family found in Taiwan. The deer's head and trunk are roughly
40-70cm in length, their tail is 4.7-10cm long, and individuals
weigh approximately 8-12kg apiece. Males have a yellow forehead;
short, branchless horns, which it sheds and then re-grows
every year; and upper canine teeth that are as well-developed
as a carnivore's teeth. Females have a black forehead and
only a slight protrusion for horns. Both males and females
have dark tawny fur, dark brown muzzles, a black stripe along
the inner border of their forehead and at the base of their
horns, and grayish-brown upper chests and sides.
Behavior:
The
Formosan reeve's muntjac is herbivorous and feeds primarily
on tender leaves, buds, and fresh grass. They are solitary
animals, and although they move around both in the day and
at night, they tend to be more active during the day, especially
in the early morning hours. Timid by nature, they tend to
stand still first and then hide when sensing danger, rather
then trying to run for their lives. Their short, high-pitched
calls are similar to a dog's bark.
Habitat:
Formosan
reeve's muntjac are an endemic subspecies to Taiwan that inhabit
broad-leaved forests and mixed forests in mountainous regions
ranging from low altitudes to as high as 3000m.
