Mouse Deer aka Chevotain

This week are looking at a creature called the Chevrotain, or mouse-deer. At first glance, these animals look like a weird mash-up of a deer, a mouse, and a pig, however they and not a mouse nor a deer or even a pig.

They are primarily found in the forested regions of South and Southeast Asia, Specifically The Greater Sunda Islands, the Philippines, southern China, and mainland Southeast Asia.

                       Vietnam Mouse-Deer

A single species, the water chevrotain, is found in the rainforests of Central and West Africa. The water chevrotain is found in western equatorial Africa. 

They are known as the smallest hoofed mammals in the world, with their size typically ranging from 45 cm (18 inches) in length and 30 cm (12 inches) in height. 

                       Water Chevrotain

The water chevrotain, is a larger species, is still relatively small, with a body length of about 85 cm and a shoulder height of 35 cm.

Mouse deer are territorial, unlike many other hoofed mammals, they have no antlers. Instead, the male mouse deer protects itself with a pair of tusk-like canines. When under threat or agitated, mouse deer rapidly beat their hooves against the ground.

After getting pregnant, a female chevrotain will carry the offspring for five to nine months, depending on the species. The baby can usually stand on its own within one hour of being born. Mothers will visit their young periodically for feedings and stand on three legs while nursing.

                      New born mouse-deer

Chevrotains are known for their ability to be almost continuously pregnant—greater and lesser Malay mouse deer can mate again only a few hours after giving birth.

Due to their small size, chevrotains are preyed upon by many different animals. Lacking antlers or horns for protection, the tiny animals are forced to lead secluded lives. Some species are nocturnal and very rarely seen. Chevrotains are very shy and often graze alone, only coming together to mate. They communicate with a series of smells and noises; this timid behaviour makes it difficult for scientists to study them.

                           Mother and Baby

Although normally peaceful, a male will angrily beat his hooves when agitated—they can stomp around four to seven times a second. This “drum roll” technique wards off predators and warns others in the area that there’s danger.

They are primarily herbivorous, feeding on the leaves, fruits, and buds of trees and shrubs. It has occasionally been observed eating insects, crustaceans and even small mammals. Like many herbivores, the water chevrotain has various adaptations to facilitate effective digestion of its low-nutrient diet.

By the age of 5 months, the mouse deer is sexually mature. These animals have a lifespan of about 12 years. Life isn’t easy for a mouse deer, with a range of carnivorous predators sharing their habitat.

They are farmed in some parts of Asia, particularly Vietnam, where they are raised for both their meat and other products.