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BarkingDeer
Height:50 cm to 75 cm
Weight:20 kg to 30 kg
Colouring:They have soft, short, brownish or greyish hair, sometimes with creamy markings.

Barking Deer

Muntiacus muntjak curvostylis

Description:
Two species of barking deer can be found in Khao Sok National Park: the Red Muntjac and the very rare Fea’s Muntjac. The name barking deer derives from the call these species of deer make when sensing danger: a high­pitched bark which sounds like a barking dog. This call can be heard over many kilometers, alarming other animals. Alarmed barking deer also flip up their tail revealing the white color on the
underside. Barking deer can weigh up to 30 kg and live for 17 years, unless caught by a predator, such as leopards, tigers, Asian golden cats or large pythons. They have excellent eyesight during day and night and are usually active during daytime. However, barking deer can become nocturnal when they are too heavily disturbed during the day. These animals are classified on the IUCN Red list as ‘least concern’.

Did you know...?

… that barking deer are so shy that their alarm call is only taken seriously when repeated long enough?

Diet:
The barking deer is an omnivore feeding on leaves and fruits as well as on bird eggs and small animals.

Habitat:
The barking deer is one of the most widespread and at the same time little known animal in Southeast Asia. It can be found in forests as well as in savannas, hilly area and grassland. Reddish­brown in color the Red Muntjac is easier to be seen than the dark­brown Fea’s Muntjac. Barking deers usually stay rather close to water. Male muntjacs are territorial. Although quite short (about 15 cm long) the antlers of both species are collected as trophies, which poses a big threat to the animals.

Reproduction:
Barking deer usually live alone or in pairs. During breeding time the male barking deer have antlers and sharp canine teeth for fighting. A female barking deer breeds for the first time before she is one year old and has one fawn after 7 months of gestation which leaves the mother after half a year.

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