Wildlifeof Bhutan
Southern Red Muntjac
Deer & Chevrotains
Photo: Mark Bolnik · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Muntiacus muntjak
Basic stats
Diet
Grass, fruit, shoots, seeds, bird eggs and small animals; occasionally carrion
Size
Male antlers about 10cm; upper canines 2–4cm
Weight
13–35kg
The southern red muntjac is a deer of Southeast Asia, formerly called the Indian or common muntjac before a revision restricted the name to populations of Thailand, the Sunda region and perhaps Malaysia. It has soft, short, brownish or greyish hair, sometimes with creamy markings, and a darker face. Adults weigh 13 to 35kg, and males are larger than females (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is an omnivore, eating grass, fruit, shoots, seeds, bird eggs and small animals, and sometimes carrion. Males have short antlers of about 10cm and elongated canines that can inflict serious injury. Its barking call gives it the name barking deer. The Mammal Diversity Database lists it only for Southeast Asia, and the Indian and Himalayan populations now go to the northern red muntjac, so its place in the Bhutan guide is flagged.
Quick answers
- What does the Southern Red Muntjac eat?
- Grass, fruit, shoots, seeds, bird eggs and small animals; occasionally carrion
- How big is the Southern Red Muntjac?
- Male antlers about 10cm; upper canines 2–4cm
- How much does the Southern Red Muntjac weigh?
- 13–35kg