|
Bornean Yellow Muntjac Muntiacus atherodes
Physical Description The Bornean Yellow Muntjac is similar in appearance to other Muntjac species; having a small rounded body, short legs and the characteristic short simple spiked antlers seen in Muntjac. The coat is a yellowish brown colour. The under parts are paler and are whitish in colour. The males rarely shed their antlers, which grow to only 5 cm in length.
Distribution Although the Bornean Yellow Muntjac is hunted for its meat and skins, it is still fairly common and is not thought to be at any conservation risk. They are found only on the south east Asian island of Borneo.
Habitat They live in areas of thick rainforest.
Reproduction Not much is known about the reproductive lifestyle of this animal. Whether it has distinct breeding and rutting periods is unclear. A single young is born after a 7 month long gestation period. This is suckled for 2 months, and becomes mature from 12 months of age.
Behaviour Again,
little research has been done and little is known about how this
species lives. It is thought to be similar to other species of
Muntjac in that it lives in small territories either alone or
in monogamous pairs. They have the characteristic barking alarm
calls that is seen in other Muntjac species. They eat a variety
of foodstuffs found within their forest homes, including leaves,
fruits, shoots and grasses.
© Worlddeer 2005
|
