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Muntjac

Muntiacus reevesi

Not yet photographed by the community

Small introduced deer; dog-like bark and year-round breeding.

Species Profile

Not classified on UK Red/Amber/Green Lists; considered an invasive non-native species.

Lifespan: 10–12 years in the wild
Size & Weight: 45–52 cm shoulder height; 10–16 kg
Habitat: Deciduous and mixed woodland, dense scrub, and young forestry plantations with good ground cover.
UK Distribution: Southern England, particularly Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, and Sussex; established feral population originating from escaped or released animals. Resident year-round.
Diet: Leaves, shoots, bark, fruits, fungi, and fallen seeds; browses low vegetation and shrubs.
Predators: Foxes, domestic dogs, and occasionally birds of prey (for fawns); humans via vehicle strikes.
Mating Season: July to September (primarily)
Breeding: Single fawn born after gestation of 209–221 days, typically May to June; fawns remain hidden for first 6–8 weeks.
Behaviour: Solitary or in pairs; territorial males are vocal, making loud barking calls. Primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, though increasingly diurnal in undisturbed areas.

Did You Know?

•Muntjac have distinctive canine teeth and prominent facial glands that they use to mark territory with scent.
•They are the smallest deer species in Britain and are known locally as 'barking deer' due to their characteristic alarm call.
•The UK population descended from animals escaped from Woburn Abbey in the 1920s and has expanded significantly.
•Unlike most deer, muntjac can breed year-round, with a short gestation period allowing multiple fawns per female annually.
•They are considered a pest in some areas due to damage to woodland understory vegetation and impacts on native plant communities.

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