The muntjac or barking deer is a diminutive and primitive deer similar to duikers. The male has small antlers and more especially two canines which it uses to defend its home range against other males. It marks its small home range bu using its its facial glands, urine and feces. There is almost no sexual dimophism in this species. It is a solitary animal and sedentary animal. It is very difficult to observe due to its elusive nature and its preference for dense cover habitats.
 

Length: 35-50 cm.

Height: 50-70 cm.

Weight: 20-28 kg.

Breeding: Gestation: 210 days. Polyestrous: 18 days. Sexual maturity (female): 8-10 days. Weaning: 70 days.

Habitat: Tropical and evergreen forests, dry forest, thickets, forest edges.

Food: Omnivores. The muntjac is mainly a browser but also eats grass, roots, twigs, bulbs, seeds, eggs and small animals.

Predators: All big predators prey on muntjacs: leopards, clouded leopards, dholes, jackals, striped hyenas, bears, tigers, pythons, crocodiles, raptors.

Best places to see it: Impredictable. It is a shy and alert specie which is very difficult to see. It seems Corbett NP in Uttar Pradesh is the best place to see it. In Sri Lanka, you can see it with a lot of luck in Wilpattu National Park.