Contrary to popular belief, all deer species are not herbivorous. Indian Muntjac, popularly known as barking deer, feeds on grass, fruits, seeds, shoots, bird eggs, small animals and occasionally carrion. Males have enlarged canine teeth whereas females have shorter canines as compared to males. These are used as weapons by the males against rival males in territorial fights. Indian Muntjac has the distinction of being the mammal with the lowest number of chromosomes with a diploid chromosome number of 7 for the males and 6 for the females. These are probably the oldest known members of the deer family as the earliest deer-like animals had horns instead of antlers and muntjacs are the first of the deer to acquire antlers.
This Indian Muntjac was observed feeding on the edge of a forest path by Jim’s Jungle Retreat naturalist Pan Singh.
An omnivorous deer: Indian Muntjac
