Reproduction

Males will gain access to the females by defending a territory which overlaps theirs. When the female is in estrus they may fight other males for access. In their natural habitat they breed year round.

While males do have antlers during the rut (primary breeding season) they primarily use the canines in battles with other animals.

Males emit a buzzing sound when they find a female they hope to mate with and if she is submissive she will emit a whine.

These animals give birth to a single calf after a 209-220 day gestation period. Twins have been recorded on rare occasions.

At birth the young, known as fawns are covered with spots but these mostly fade by two months old.

Young are fast growing and require little parental investment. They will drink milk for 17 weeks. Adulthood is reached by just 6 months old and leave their parents territory to find their own.

Females reach sexual maturity at just 5-6 months old in captivity though it occurs later in the wild.

Behavior

These animals are solitary. Sometimes they will move around in a pair or a small group.

Reeve's muntjac is primarily crepuscular and will be most active for a couple of hours around sunrise and sunset. Their is variation with activity through the seasons primarily in the afternoon.

Both males and females defend a territory. That of the male is larger to overlap those of many females.

Males show some tolerance for young males which have not yet grow antlers in their territory as they represent no threat to their females.

The call of the reeve's muntjac when threatened sounds like the bark of a dog. This call warns ambush predators they have been spotted and lost their element of surprise. On occasion this has also helped humans.

Reeve's muntjac will move through the forest on trails which they use frequently. This often reduces the foliage along these routes.

Predators and Threats

Natural predators of the reeve's muntjac include leopards, tigers, jackals, dholes, crocodiles and pythons.

No major predators are present in the United Kingdom which has allowed the population to grow. They may potentially face predation from the red fox.

Reeve's muntjac will defend themselves using the canine teeth. These are employed during fights over territory with other males and can injure a dog or other attacking animal.

The population of the reeve's muntjac is declining. No recent population estimate exists with the most recent from the 1980s suggesting a population of two million individuals.

Their population has been declining as a result of habitat destruction and hunting. Hunting takes place for food and hides to sell at fur markets.

In some parts of their range they have been perceived as a pest due to their habit of stripping bark from trees.

Throughout their range in the United Kingdom they have increasingly become the victim of vehicle strikes.

Quick facts

Reeve's muntjac is also known as the barking deer due to the sound of their call. They may be called the Chinese muntjac due to their range.

Their genus name, Muntiacus comes from a Sunda language and means muntjac.

Reeve's muntjac were named in 1812 for John Reeves of the East India company.