Why in news?
Wildlife enthusiasts captured images of an Indian spotted chevrotain, commonly called the mouse deer, in Maharashtra’s Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. The tiny, shy animal is rarely seen and its presence indicates healthy forest undergrowth.
Background
Mouse deer are primitive hoofed mammals belonging to the family Tragulidae. Despite the name they are not true deer but chevrotains – small ruminants that diverged early in ungulate evolution. The Indian spotted chevrotain (Tragulus meminna) is the smallest ungulate in India, standing about 25–30 centimetres at the shoulder and weighing 2–4 kilograms. It has a rounded body, slender legs and a short tail.
Physical characteristics
- No antlers: Males lack horns or antlers but possess elongated, tusk‑like upper canine teeth used during mating contests.
- Spotted coat: The brown coat is marked with white spots and stripes that provide camouflage among fallen leaves.
- Large eyes and ears: These features help the animal detect predators in dense forest undergrowth.
Habitat and behaviour
- Distribution: The species is found in the Western Ghats, parts of the Eastern Ghats and central India. It prefers moist evergreen and deciduous forests with thick ground cover.
- Nocturnal and secretive: Mouse deer are active at night, feeding on fallen fruits, leaves and tender shoots. Their small size and cryptic nature make sightings uncommon.
- Solitary lifestyle: Individuals usually live alone or in pairs. Females give birth to a single fawn after a gestation of about five months.
Conservation status
The Indian spotted chevrotain is listed as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, but local populations are decreasing due to habitat loss, hunting and predation by feral dogs. Protected areas like Tungareshwar Sanctuary provide safe havens. Documentation of such sightings helps conservationists monitor distribution and plan habitat management.
Source: Mid‑day