Alias Muntiacus reevesi,Chinese Muntjak,Formosan Reeves' Muntjac、Reeve’s Muntjac、Reeves's Muntjac,Mountain barking deer, dog muntjac, horned muntjac, yellow muntjac, mountain muntjac
Family Artiodactyls Cervidae Muntjac
Muntiacus reevesi (scientific name: Chinese Muntjak, Formosan Reeves' Muntjac, Reeve's Muntjac, Reeves's Muntjac), has three subspecies and is a small deer animal.
The activity pattern of the small muntjac is similar to that of the red muntjac. It is an animal active during the day, and it is also most active in the morning and evening. Therefore, it calls more during this period. Although its call is similar to a dog barking, it has a higher pitch. The small muntjac is very cautious when foraging and usually sneaks slowly. It feeds on branches, leaves, and young shoots of a variety of shrubs, trees, and herbs, as well as flowers and fruits.
The young muntjac reaches sexual maturity at 7-8 months of age and breeds all year round. The gestation period is 6 months, with 1-2 pups born each time. The pups have light white spots, which gradually disappear after a few months. During the breeding season, males can make "ga, ga" sounds and fight for mates.
In October 2020, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration issued the "Notice on Standardizing the Scope of Classification and Management of Prohibited Wild Animals", prohibiting the breeding of this animal for the purpose of eating, and guiding breeders to stop breeding except for special circumstances such as retaining a proper amount of seed sources.
The wild muntjac is listed in the "National List of Terrestrial Wildlife with Important Economic and Scientific Research Value" issued by the State Forestry Administration of China on August 1, 2000.
Listed in the 2008 Red List of Endangered Species of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) ver 3.1 - Least Concern (LC).
Listed in the China Biodiversity Red List - Vertebrate Volume, with an assessment level of Near Threatened (NT).
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