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Home > Coniferous Forest Animals > Siberian Musk Deer

Siberian Musk Deer

The Siberian musk deer is a species of small, stocky musk deer living in the forested mountainous regions of Northeast Asia. With a kangaroo-like face, long, muscular hind legs, shorter and weaker forelimbs, small chest, highly arched back, and large rear, these animals move in a sequence of coordinated jumps. Unlike other deer species, the male Siberian musk deer do not have antlers but grow fangs during the breeding season.

Siberian Musk Deer Range

Siberian Musk Deer Range

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Artiodactyla
Family Moschidae
Genus Moschus
Scientific Name Moschus moschiferus
Moschus Moschiferus

Moschus Moschiferus

Russian Fanged Deer

Russian Fanged Deer

Quick Information

Other Names Vampire kangaroo deer, Cerf Porte-musc, Chevrotain Porte-musc, Porte-musc (French), Ciervo Almizclero (Spanish)
Subspecies M. m. moschiferus, M. m. turovi, M. m. arcticus, M. m. sachalinensis, M. m. parvipes
Size Body length: 2.8-3.3 ft (86-100 cm)
Shoulder height: 22-26 in (56-67 cm)
Tail length: 1.6-2.4 in (4-6 cm)
Weight 33-37.5 lb (15-17 kg)
Color Adult: Brown body, gray head; some brown patches around the ears and at the top
Juvenile: Dark brown with white or yellowish spots
Distribution Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, Republic of Mongolia, China, Korea, and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Habitat Usually in boreal or coniferous forests at an altitude below 1,600 m; sometimes on shrub covered mountain slopes at heights from 1,900-2,600 m
Vocalizations A soft hissing sound
Lifespan 3-4 years; captive animals live for a maximum of 20 years
Diet Pine needles, tree barks, leaves, buds, young shoots, lichens; prefers digestible, nutritious foods with high protein and low fiber content
Adaptations Long, wide hooves provide extra surface area, keeping it from sinking into snow or soft and soggy surfaces
Number of Offspring 1-2 fawns
Breeding Season November-December
Gestation Period 185-195 days
Predators Lynxes, yellow-throated martens, wolverines, and other predators
Conservation Status Vulnerable
Russian Musk Deer

Russian Musk Deer

Siberian Deer

Siberian Deer

Behavior

These shy and timid musk deer, active at twilight and night, mostly live a solitary life or may form small groups, comprising 2-3 animals. Its migration over short distances is usually from steep mountain slopes to grasslands near streams or river valleys. It communicates with other deer by using the scent of feces.

A male deer marks out its territory by wiping strong-smelling secretions on the surrounding plants and trees. Although this may overlap with the feeding range of one or more females, trespassing of male deer is not allowed, and if it occurs, fights may follow.

Female Siberian Musk Deer

Female Siberian Musk Deer

Male Siberian Musk Deer

Male Siberian Musk Deer

Mating and Reproduction

During the mating season, adult males produce musk, which when mixed with their urine produces a strong scent that arouses female deer to enter the estrus. Female musk deer remain in estrus for 3-4 weeks. Moreover, the fangs in male deer are used for fighting with other males as well as attracting the females. Stronger and longer teeth are likely to be more appealing to female deer.

After the gestation period, females give birth to their offspring between May and June. Fawning takes place in secluded areas like underneath small branches of trees, beneath dense shrubs, or near fallen trees.

Siberian Musk Deer Baby

Siberian Musk Deer Baby

Siberian Musk Deer

Siberian Musk Deer

Life Cycle

Despite reaching sexual maturity at about 1 year and 3 months of age, fawns live with their mothers, depending on them for food and shelter for two years.

Interesting Facts

  • Since scent plays vital roles in their life, the Siberian musk deer have three scent glands – the caudal glands, the musk gland, and the interdigital gland.
  • The reddish-brown, waxy musk produced by the Siberian musk deer is a highly priced animal product and thus the deer are hunted for their musk gland.
  • Juvenile Siberian musk deer suckle in an unusual way. While nursing, the mother deer lifts its hind leg so that the fawn can touch it with its forelegs.
Tusked Deer

Tusked Deer

Siberian Musk Deer Skull

Siberian Musk Deer Skull

References

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_musk_deer
  2. http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Moschus_moschiferus/
  3. https://animalia.bio/siberian-musk-deer
  4. https://www.ultimateungulate.com/Artiodactyla/Moschus_moschiferus.html
  5. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/13897/61977573

Published on November 11th 2016 by admin under Coniferous Forest Animals.
Article was last reviewed on 21st March 2023.

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