Muntjac Deer: Why These Small Deer Are Taking Over the UK

Though small, the muntjac deer has made a lasting impression on English scenery. Originally brought to Woburn Park in Bedfordshire in the early 1900s, these secretive, dog-sized deer swiftly expanded from China. Renowned as “barking deer,” muntjacs are solitary creatures that flourish in urban, suburban, and forest settings. Though there seem to be no threat, their browsing patterns complicate conservation efforts. We shall go further into the muntjac deer in this essay.

Early in the 1900s, Woburn Park in Bedfordshire first housed the Reeves’ muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi). Deliberate releases and inadvertent escapes over time helped wild populations to flourish all over southern England. Common throughout southeast England nowadays, muntjacs are gradually moving north.

How to Identify a Muntjac Deer

Muntjac deer look differently than other British deer species, which distinguishes them:

• Their length runs from 77 to 91 cm (30 to 36 inches) and their shoulder height runs from 45 to 52 cm (18 to 20 inches). Like a medium-sized dog.
• Weight: 22–37 pounds, between 10–17 kg.
• Gingery-brown fur featuring black facial marks and a pale underbelly.
• Males have short, single-pointing, backward-sloping antlers.
• Males also employ their sharp, extended canine teeth for protection.

Where Are Muntjac Deer Found?

Highly flexible and adept in many environments, muntjac deer live in:

• Woodlands: coniferous and deciduous woods
• Parks and farms—places with dense undergrowth
• Urban gardens—overgrown green areas and backyards
• Grasslands and Heathlands: Less often occurring but still somewhat prevalent

Although their numbers are rising all throughout England, their distribution north of the Humber is still erratic even as they are getting close to the Scottish border.

The Barking Deer: Vocalizations of Muntjac

Because of their loud, repeated alert calls—which sound like a dog’s bark—muntjac deer are sometimes referred to as barking deer. They may also produce a piercing scream when scared and generate high-pitched squeaks to interact with their young.

A Year-Round Breeding Cycle

Muntjacs lack a clear mating season unlike most deer species. They breed all year long, which lets their population explode quickly.

• At seven months old, women acquire sexual maturity and can conceive within a few days following delivery.
• Usually giving birth to a single fawn, a gestation lasts seven months.
• Though they struggle for mating rights, bucks (males) are typically accepting of subordinate males in their territory.
• Though they live in couples or alone, muntjacs do not create enduring relationships.

Are Muntjac Deer Dangerous?

Though small and usually shy, muntjac deer can turn hostile if confronted.

• Males employ their razor-sharp teeth for self-defense and combat.
• Threatened, they might bite, kick, or charge.
• Muntjac deer bites have caused injuries, particularly in cases of handling attempts.

Safety Tips When Encountering Muntjac Deer

• Neither approach nor try to feed them.
• In places where muntjacs abound, keep dogs on leashes.
• Stay on routes and keep from upsetting their habitat.
• See a local wildlife rescue for help should you discover a muntjac entangled in a fence.

Conclusion

Though small, the muntjac deer has had a major influence on British landscape. Originally brought from China, it has quickly expanded over England, adjusting to several habitats and flourishing in both rural and metropolitan settings. Although their distinct barking cries and secretive behavior make them interesting animals, their browsing behavior complicates efforts at woodland protection. The balance between their presence and environmental sustainability stays a topic of debate as their numbers keep growing.

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