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Tragulus kanchil (Raffles, 1821)
| Family Name: | Tragulidae |
| Synonyms: | javanicus, [blank], Tragulus |
| Taxonomic Group: | Vertebrates (Mammal) |
| Common Name: | Lesser Mousedeer |
Name
Description
| Description | Upperparts plain reddish brown, centre of nape usually darker than rest of body. Underside of neck has three white stripes. Short tail and slender limbs. Each foot with four toes and two main hooves. |
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Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | Found in mature forest. Active during day and night, this animal is generally solitary but sometimes associates in pairs. It feeds on leaves, shoots, fungi and fallen fruit. |
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| Habitats | Forest, Terrestrial |
| Distribution | In Singapore, it is restricted to the Central Nature Reserves. The species occurs from Indochina through the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. |
| Nature Reserves | Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Central Catchment Nature Reserve |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Habitat loss, illegal trapping and possibly predation by feral dogs. |
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| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | Mousedeer are hunted and eaten by some people. The subspecies, Tragulus kanchil fulviventer was described from Singapore in 1836. |
| Conservation Notes | Habitat protection and stringent policing against poaching. Stray dogs should be eliminated from our nature reserves. |
Status
| Species Status | Native |
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| Conservation Status | Rare |
| Singapore Red Data Book Status | Critically Endangered (CR) [2008] |
Photos
References
| References | Baker, N. & Lim, K. 2008. Wild animals of Singapore. Singapore: Draco Publishing and Distribution Pte Ltd. 180pp Davison, G.W.H., Ng, P.K.L. & Ho, H.C (Eds.). 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book (2nd Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 285pp |
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