Muntjac deer are a group of small deer species that belong to the genus Muntiacus.
They are also known as barking deer due to the loud, dog-like bark they make when alarmed or excited.
Muntjac deer are native to Asia, ranging from India and Sri Lanka in the south to China, Korea, and Japan in the north.
There are several species of muntjac deer, including the Indian muntjac, the Reeves's muntjac, and the Formosan muntjac.
Muntjac deer are small in size, with adults typically weighing between 10 and 25 kilograms.
They have a distinctive appearance, with short legs, large ears, and small antlers that are only present in males.
Muntjac deer are primarily active at dawn and dusk, and they are generally solitary or live in small family groups.
They are herbivores, feeding on leaves, shoots, and fruits, and are known to cause damage to crops and gardens.
Muntjac deer have a high reproductive rate, with females capable of giving birth to up to three fawns per year.
They are preyed upon by a variety of predators, including tigers, leopards, and pythons.
Muntjac deer have been introduced to other parts of the world, such as the UK, where they are considered an invasive species.
In traditional Chinese medicine, various parts of the muntjac deer, including their antlers, are believed to have medicinal properties and are used to treat a range of ailments.