The musk deer is a relatively small deer found in the mountains of Asia. The musk deer do not have antlers but males have large curved sharp claws on their front legs and sometimes on their hind legs as well. Females have small blunt claws. Both sexes grow a thick coat of hair in the winter. The summer coat is much thinner.
The most distinctive feature of the musk deer is the male’s large curved sharp claws and the musk glands in both sexes. The musk deer is the only deer that has these features. The musk deer is an important source of musk a substance used in perfumes and medicines.
The musk deer is thought to be the most primitive of all deer. It is the only living member of the family Moschidae. The earliest known member of this family was Prodinoceras which lived in Eurasia during the Early Oligocene about 30 million years ago.
The musk deer is a timid animal and is seldom seen by humans. It is most active at dawn and dusk. The musk deer is mainly solitary but sometimes forms small herds. Males and females generally live apart except during the breeding season.
The diet of the musk deer consists mainly of grasses and other vegetation. In winter when food is scarce the musk deer may eat twigs buds and even bark.
The musk deer is found in the mountains of central and southern Asia from the Himalayan region to Korea and Japan. It has also been introduced to the forests of Taiwan.
The musk deer is hunted for its musk which is used in perfumes and traditional medicines. The musk deer is also hunted for its meat and fur. The musk deer is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
What is the difference between a musk deer and a regular deer?
Musk deer are much smaller than regular deer and they have a long narrow face.
They also have tusks or fangs which regular deer do not have.
What is the musk deer’s natural habitat?
Musk deer are found in the mountains of central Asia including parts of India China and Siberia.
What does the musk deer use its fangs for?
The musk deer uses its fangs for self-defense.
What is the musk deer’s diet?
The musk deer eats mainly leaves and buds but it will also eat grass fruit and bark.
How does the musk deer use its musk?
The musk deer produces a strong-smelling substance called musk which it uses to mark its territory and attract mates.
How big is a musk deer?
Musk deer range in size from about 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 inches) at the shoulder.
What is the life span of a musk deer?
Musk deer typically live for about 10 years in the wild but they can live for up to 20 years in captivity.
How many species of musk deer are there?
There are six different species of musk deer: Siberian musk deer Chinese musk deer Kashmir musk deer Himalayan musk deer Bukharan musk deer and Java musk deer.
What is the musk deer’s main predator?
The musk deer’s main predators are wolves lynxes and snow leopards.
How many fawns does a musk deer usually have?
A musk deer usually has one or two fawns at a time.
What is the musk deer’s scientific name?
The musk deer’s scientific name is Moschus moschiferus.
What is the musk deer used for in traditional Chinese medicine?
The musk deer is used for a variety of purposes in traditional Chinese medicine including treatment of headaches colds and indigestion.
What is the price of musk deer musk?
Musk deer musk can be quite expensive costing up to $5000 per kilogram.
What is the main threat to musk deer?
The main threat to musk deer is habitat loss due to deforestation.
What is being done to protect musk deer?
Several organizations are working to protect musk deer including the World Wildlife Fund and the Wildlife Conservation Society.
