Tufted Deer

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

iTufted Deer
Conservation status
Data deficient (DD)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Cervidae Subfamily: Muntiacinae Genus: Elaphodus Species: E. cephalophus
Binomial name
Elaphodus cephalophus (Milne-Edwards, 1872)

The Tufted Deer is a close relative of the muntjac, living somewhat further north over a wide area of central China and northeastern India and Myanmar. It is restricted to forested mountain habitat up to 4500 m above sea level making study difficult, and, although suffering from habitat loss, is not considered endangered. It is small for a deer at 50-70 cm, though larger than muntjacs (except the Giant muntjac, which also lives at high altitude). It has small antlers and like related species the males have short tusks. It is well camouflaged, the most prominent feature being a tuft of black hair over the forehead. This deer has white tail like the white-tailed deer and uses its tail in a similar fashion.

[edit] References

• Deer Specialist Group (1996). Elaphodus cephalophus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.