Native to Southeast Asia, the southern red muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) is a species of deer. The species was previously known as the common muntjac or the Indian muntjac, but a taxonomy revision limited its range to populations in Sunda and possibly Malaysia. A new species, Muntiacus vaginalis (Northern red muntjac), is being credited with the other populations previously thought to belong to this species. Another name for muntjacs is barking deer.
The short, smooth hair of this muntjac might have markings that are sometimes white and brownish-gray. Among the tiniest species of deer is this one. It is an omnivore. The term “barking deer” comes from the fact that it frequently makes sounds similar to barking when startled by a predator. In order to mark their territory, males have a big postorbital scent gland, teeth, and short antlers that often only branch once around the base.
The coat of the Southern red muntjac is short but extremely velvety, thick, and dense; in colder climates, it becomes even denser. Its coat colour varies seasonally from darker brown to yellowish and greyish brown and is white ventrally. Its face is darker, and its limbs are black to reddish brown. Its ears are the same colour as the rest of the head, but they have far less hair. Male muntjacs have short antlers that stick out from long pedicels coated with body hair above the eyes. These antlers are around 10 cm (3.9 in) long. Instead of antlers, females have little bony knobs and tufts of fur. Males can potentially cause considerable harm to other males in disputes by using their extended, slightly curved upper canines, which measure 2-4 cm (0.79-1.57 in).Among all the deer, muntjacs are the only ones with huge, noticeable smell glands on their faces (preorbital, in front of the eyes), which they utilise to mark their territories or attract females. Compared to females, males have larger glands.
One of Southeast Asia’s least well-known mammals is the southern red muntjac, formerly known as the common muntjac. It can be found in Borneo, Java, Sumatra, Bali, and the Malay Peninsula. Additionally, it’s thought to exist in southwest Myanmar and the Thai peninsula. In Singapore, it is nonexistent. The muntjak is a forest-dwelling animal that adapts well to changes in its environment.
The adult muntjac lives alone for the first six months after giving birth and during the rut (mating season). Particularly adult males are well-spaced, and they appear to be participating in the establishment and upkeep of territory by marking shrubs and grass with secretions from their preorbital glands. Males mark their territories with scent markers by scraping the ground with their hooves, rubbing their preorbital glands (found on the face, just behind the eyes), and using their lower incisors to scrape the bark of trees.
Tigers, leopards, clouded leopards, pythons, crocodiles, dholes, Asiatic black bears, fishing cats, Asian golden cats, and golden jackals are among the predators that prey on these deer. Fawns are the prey of foxes, raptors, and wild boars. They are extremely vigilant beings. Muntjacs start to make a sound similar to barking when they are in a stressed condition or if they detect a potential predator. Originally, it was believed that barking served as both an alert system and a way of communication for deer during the mating season.
Polygamous animals are the Southern red muntjacs. One or two years of life are when females reach sexual maturity. These females are polyestrous; an oestrus lasts for two days and each cycle lasts between fourteen and twenty-one days. They normally give birth to one child at a time during their 6-7 month gestation period, though they can occasionally give birth to twins. Typically, females give birth in dense growth to protect their babies from predators and the other members of the herd. After roughly six months, the young departs from its mother to claim its own area.Adults show comparatively wide intrasexual and intersexual home range overlap, indicating that site-specific dominance rather than strict territorialism occurred.
