Musk deer is a type of small deer that roams the mountainous forests and brushlands of central, eastern, and northeastern Asia. It gets its name from a musk gland in the male’s abdomen. Males use the musk to mark their territories. The musk is highly prized for scenting perfumes and soaps. In some regions, musk deer have been hunted so extensively for their musk that they are nearly extinct.
Musk deer do not have antlers, but the upper canine teeth form small tusks. These deer stand from 20 to 24 inches (51 to 61 centimeters) tall at the shoulders and about 2 inches (5 centimeters) higher at the rump. The hind legs are longer and heavier than the front legs. Musk deer have a thick layer of coarse, brittle hair that is yellowish-brown to dark brown at the surface and white at the base. The hair’s color pattern helps camouflage the deer, and the thick coat protects the animal from the harsh weather found at high elevations.
Unlike most deer, musk deer generally live alone. They are most active at morning and evening, feeding on grass, lichens, roots, and twigs of shrubs. Musk deer mate in January, and the female bears a single spotted fawn about 160 days later.
