Lesser Mouse Deer
There are variety of Mammals that is breed and kept in Wildlife Fauna Janda Baik. Here is only some of them.
Tragulus javanicus, or lesser Malay mouse deer, do not have antlers or
horns. Instead, adult males have elongated, tusk-like upper canines (Nowak
and Paradiso, 1983). These canines protrude from the side of the mouth.
Females lack these canines. Females are also smaller than the males (Nowak
and Paradiso, 1983). The cheekteeth of lesser mouse deer have a crescent
pattern formed by the enamel ridges. Mouse deer have no upper incisors. The
pelage of mouse deer is brown with an orange tint. The underside is white.
There is also a series of white vertical markings on the neck (Grzimck,
1994). Malay mouse deer have a triangular head and a round body with
elevated rear quarters. The thin legs are about the diameter of a pencil
(Nowak and Parasido, 1983). T. javanicus is the smallest artiodactyl, 18-22
inches long with a tail length of 2 inches (Grzimck, 1994). The young look
like miniature adults when born; however, the tusk-like incisors in the
infant males are not well developed.
Reproduction
Gestation period
144 days (average)
Birth Mass
370 g (average)
(13.02 oz)
Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
167 days (average)
Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
167 days (average)
Mouse deer can breed at any time of the year. The gestation period is
usually 4 1/2 months. Breeding females produce one fawn (Jinaka, 1995). The
young are precocial when born and can stand within 30 minutes of birth (Grzimck,
1994). Mouse deer are shy and their fawns tend to be "hiders". The fawn is
weaned for 10-13 weeks. It reaches sexual maturity at about 5-6 months.
Lesser Malay mouse deer can live for 12 years.
Key reproductive features:
gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate);
Behavior
Lesser Malay mouse deer tend to form monogamous family groups. Some are
solitary. Mouse deer are very shy and try to remain unseen. They are usually
silent; the only noise mouse deer make is a shrill cry when frightened (Jinaka,
1995). T. javanicus are most active during the night. Lesser Malay mouse
deer travel thorugh tunnel-like trails of thick bursh to reach their feeding
and resting sites, which are often in the cracks of rocks, hollow trees, and
dense vegetation (Grzimck, 1994). The male mouse deer are territorial. Mouse
deer regularly mark their territories, and their mates, using secretions
from an intermandibular gland under the chin, an action that is usually
accompanied by urinating or defecating (Nowak and Paradiso, 1983). Male
mouse deer protect themselves, and their mates, against rivals by chasing or
slashing them with their sharp canines. When threatened, lesser Malay mouse
deer rapidly beat their hooves on the ground at speeds of up to 7 times per
second, creating a 'drum roll' (Grzimck, 1994). Predators of the mouse deer
include large birds and large reptiles (Nowak and Paradiso, 1983).
Food Habits
T. javanicus is a ruminant and has a three-chambered stomach (Lawlor, 1979).
As ruminants, mouse deer use microorganisms that produce enzymes within the
stomach to digest their food. In the wild, lesser Malayan mouse deer are
commonly herbivores and folivores, eating leaves, buds, shrubs, and fruits
that have fallen from trees. In zoos, mouse deer tend to eat insects as well
as leaves and fruits (Nowak and Paradiso, 1983).
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Mouse deer are hunted for their skins. The pelage of mouse deer is smooth
and the skin is used to make handbags and coats (Jinaka, 1995).
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List:
Lower Risk - Least Concern.
US Federal List:
No special status.
CITES: No special status.
The mouse deer population is threatened by hunting and habitat destruction.
One method to prevent the extinction of mouse deer is captive breeding. This
is done primarily in zoos (Jinaka, 1995). (Jinaka, 1995)
Other Comments
Female lesser Malay mouse deer have the potential to be pregnant throughout
their adult life, being able to conceive only 85-155 minutes after giving
birth (Grzimck, 1994).