A rare species of deer native to Thailand and Southern Myanmar, Fea’s Muntjac Deer (Muntiacus feae) is similar in appearance to the common Muntjac deer, but has some unique differences.
This unique species of deer prefers upland habitat to the dense forest vegetation of some of its closely related cousins. On this page we’ll share information about the size, appearance, and behavior and habits of the Fea’s Muntjac (sometimes referred to as the Tenasserim Muntjac – a name drawn from the Tenasserim hills which rise between Burma and Thailand).
What Size are Fea’s Muntjac Deer?
- Head-Body Length – ~88 cm
- Tail Length – 23 cm
- Weight – 18-21 kg
What do Tenasserim Muntjac Deer Look Like?
Fea’s Muntjac deer are similar in appearance to other Muntjac deer species.
The coat is a dark brown color, with slightly paler under-parts. The lower part of of the legs are black. The Muntiacus feae‘s face is dark brown and has dark black stripes that run from the base of the antlers to the snout.
Fea’s Muntjac deer have branched antlers, unlike other Muntjac deer. The hind branch of the antlers is longer than the front branch.
Where Muntiacus feae Live
The Fea’s Muntjac deer lives in south-east Asia. Today you’ll find this species of deer in China, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
This is an endangered species of deer. The main problem this deer species faces are loss of its natural habitat.
Deforestation and hunting are a growing threat.
Preferred Habitat
These deer prefer areas of high mountainous woodland. This is unlike other Muntjac species. Also unique compared to their cousins is the fact that Fea’s Muntjac deer are often seen in more open areas and clearings within the forest. They can typically be found close to rivers and streams.
Mating Habits & Reproduction
We don’t know much about the reproductive lifestyle or mating habits of this species.
Most people assume its mating rituals are similar to those of other Muntjac species.
We can’t say that for sure due to a lack of research and observation specific to Tenasserim Muntjac deer.
This deer’s gestation period is about 200 days long.
How They Behave
Is thought that Muntiacus feae live a mostly solitary life. They maintain small, well defended territories.
The diet of Fea’s Muntjac deer includes grasses and herbaceous plants found within their mountainous ranges.
What Does Fea’s Muntjac Eat?
Like its relatives, Fea’s muntjac is best described as a browser rather than a strict grazer. In addition to the grasses and herbs it crops in forest clearings, this deer takes tender leaves, young shoots, buds, and fallen fruit and seeds from the forest floor. That flexible, opportunistic menu is typical of small forest deer the world over, and it helps the species make a living in steep terrain where no single food source is abundant year-round. For a broader look at how deer diets work, see our guide to what deer eat.
Feeding activity is concentrated in the low-light hours around dawn and dusk. During the heat of the day, Fea’s muntjac tends to lie up in dense cover, emerging along regular trails to feed near streams and forest edges.
Tusks, Scent Glands, and the Famous Bark
Muntjacs as a group are nicknamed “barking deer,” and Fea’s muntjac is no exception. When alarmed by a predator, these deer give a loud, hoarse bark that can carry a long way through the forest and may be repeated for many minutes. Barking serves as both an alarm signal and a way of telling a predator it has been spotted.
Male muntjacs carry two kinds of weaponry. Besides their short antlers, which sit atop long, hair-covered pedicles, males grow elongated upper canine teeth that protrude from the mouth as small tusks. In fights between rival males, these sharp canines often do more damage than the antlers themselves.
Muntjacs also possess unusually large facial scent glands, which they press and rub against the ground and vegetation. Because Fea’s muntjac appears to live alone in a defended territory, scent marking is one of its main channels of communication, letting neighbors know a patch of forest is occupied. You can read more about how deer communicate in our overview of deer behavior.
Predators and Threats
In the forests of the Tenasserim range, a small deer has plenty to fear. Natural predators of Fea’s muntjac likely include leopards, dholes (Asiatic wild dogs), and large pythons. Its dark coat, secretive habits, and preference for steep, broken ground all help it avoid unwanted attention.
People, however, remain the greatest danger. The main pressures on the species are:
- Snaring and hunting for meat, which affects ground-dwelling mammals throughout Southeast Asia
- Deforestation as upland forest is cleared for plantations and agriculture
- Road building and development, which fragment the remote hill forests this deer depends on
How Fea’s Muntjac Compares to Other Muntjacs
The muntjac family tree is surprisingly bushy, and Fea’s muntjac occupies a distinctive branch of it. Compared with the Reeves’s muntjac of China and Taiwan — the small species now famously established in Britain — Fea’s muntjac is a little larger and darker, and it favors higher, cooler mountain forest. The Indian muntjac is bigger and far more widespread, ranging across much of South and Southeast Asia, while Fea’s muntjac is confined to a comparatively narrow strip of hill country. Where several muntjac species overlap, subtle differences in coat color, antler shape, and preferred elevation help tell them apart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fea’s muntjac endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently classifies Fea’s muntjac as Data Deficient, meaning the species is so rarely observed that scientists cannot reliably estimate its population or trend. Earlier assessments treated it as threatened, and most researchers still consider it rare and likely declining because of hunting and habitat loss. Camera-trap surveys in the Thailand–Myanmar border forests are slowly improving our picture of where it survives. Protecting the remaining hill forests of the Tenasserim region is central to deer conservation efforts for this species.
Do Fea’s muntjac deer have tusks?
Yes. Like other muntjac species, the males grow elongated upper canine teeth that show as small tusks. These are used in fights with rival males, alongside their short, branched antlers.
What sound does a muntjac make?
Muntjacs give a short, deep bark — surprisingly dog-like for a deer — usually when they detect a predator or are otherwise alarmed. The bark may be repeated at intervals for a long time, which is how the whole group earned the name “barking deer.”
Related species: Curious about the rest of the barking deer family? Meet the Reeves’s muntjac, the widespread Indian muntjac, and the Bornean yellow muntjac.
