Muntjac

genus of mammals

A muntjac is any small deer that genus Muntiacus. Muntjacs may be the oldest known deer, appearing 15-35 million years ago, with remains found in Miocene deposits in France and Germany.

Muntjac
Scientific classification
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Subfamily:
Muntiacinae
Genus:
Muntiacus

This genus is native to Southeast Asia and can be found in India and Sri Lanka to southern China, Taiwan, Japan and Indonesian islands.

Two species were originally recognised: the barking deer is Muntiacus vaginalis and Reeves's muntjac is Muntiacus reevesi. More recently, ten more species have been recognised, all from Asia.