Mouse Deer

Source: TOI

Context: The elusive Silver-backed Chevrotain (mouse deer), thought extinct for over 30 years, has been rediscovered in the forests of southern Vietnam, sparking global conservation optimism.

About Mouse Deer:

• What is the Mouse Deer? The mouse deer, also called chevrotain, is the world’s smallest hoofed mammal, belonging to the family Tragulidae. Though it resembles both a mouse and a deer, it is unrelated to either and represents a primitive ruminant lineage.

• The mouse deer, also called chevrotain, is the world’s smallest hoofed mammal, belonging to the family Tragulidae. Though it resembles both a mouse and a deer, it is unrelated to either and represents a primitive ruminant lineage.

• Scientific Name & Taxonomy:

• Scientific Names: Tragulus kanchil (Lesser Mouse Deer) Tragulus napu (Greater Mouse Deer) Tragulus versicolor (Silver-backed Chevrotain – rediscovered species)

• Tragulus kanchil (Lesser Mouse Deer)

• Tragulus napu (Greater Mouse Deer)

• Tragulus versicolor (Silver-backed Chevrotain – rediscovered species)

• Habitat and Distribution:

• Found in tropical and subtropical forests of South and Southeast Asia (India, Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka). African cousin (Hyemoschus aquaticus) resides in West and Central African rainforests. Often inhabit dense undergrowth, lowland forests, and remain nocturnal and elusive.

• Found in tropical and subtropical forests of South and Southeast Asia (India, Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka).

• African cousin (Hyemoschus aquaticus) resides in West and Central African rainforests.

• Often inhabit dense undergrowth, lowland forests, and remain nocturnal and elusive.

• Biological and Behavioural Traits:

• Lack modern thermoregulation mechanisms found in advanced artiodactyls. Known for their ability to submerge underwater for minutes to evade predators.

• Lack modern thermoregulation mechanisms found in advanced artiodactyls.

• Known for their ability to submerge underwater for minutes to evade predators.

• Feeding Habits:

• Primarily herbivorous: feed on fruits, leaves, and soft plant parts. The African chevrotain occasionally consumes insects, crabs, and scavenged meat—an unusual trait for ruminants.

• Primarily herbivorous: feed on fruits, leaves, and soft plant parts.

• The African chevrotain occasionally consumes insects, crabs, and scavenged meat—an unusual trait for ruminants.

• Social and Reproductive Behaviour: Prefer solitary or paired existence; territorial with small home ranges (13–24 hectares). Males use chin and preputial glands for marking.

• Prefer solitary or paired existence; territorial with small home ranges (13–24 hectares).

• Males use chin and preputial glands for marking.

• Reproduction: One offspring per birth. Weaning at 3 months and maturity between 5–10 months.

• One offspring per birth.

• Weaning at 3 months and maturity between 5–10 months.

• Unique Adaptations:

• Drumming with hooves: Emits rhythmic beats to signal distress or warn off threats. Underwater hiding: Known to stay submerged for over 5 minutes—key survival trait.

• Drumming with hooves: Emits rhythmic beats to signal distress or warn off threats.

• Underwater hiding: Known to stay submerged for over 5 minutes—key survival trait.