Southern Red Muntjac Deer: Nature’s Smallest and Noisiest Deer

When you walk along forest trails in some national parks, you might spot a small deer-like animal, about the size of a dog, moving quickly through the grass. It is easy to mistake it for a young deer, but it is actually a muntjac deer, also known as the barking deer. This animal belongs to the Muntiacus group, which includes several species of muntjacs. Among them, the southern red muntjac or India muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) is the most common and widespread in Asia. Read on to discover more fascinating facts about this unique little deer, from its barking calls to its surprising tusk-like teeth.

Information Table about Southern Red Muntjac

Common name	Southern Red Muntjac / Barking Deer / Indian Muntjac
Scientific name	Muntiacus muntjak
Taxonomy	Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Cervidae Genus: Muntiacus Species: Muntiacus muntjak
Weight / Size	13–35 kg; body length 89–135 cm; shoulder height 40–65 cm.
Lifespan	Wild ~10–15 years; Captive ~15–21 years.
Population	Estimated over 140,000–150,000 individuals in India; widespread across Southeast Asia.
Habitat	Tropical and subtropical forests, bamboo forests, grasslands, and forest edges near water sources.
Range	South and Southeast Asia — Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, southern China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.
Diet	Omnivorous — eats grass, leaves, fruits, seeds, bark, bird eggs, and small animals.
Conservation status	Least Concern (IUCN Red List).

Physical Characteristics of Muntjac Deer

The southern red muntjac is the smallest deer species. Its body is about 89 to 135cm long and 40 to 65cm tall at the shoulder. It weighs between 13 and 35kg. A newborn muntjac weighs just around 550 to 650g. Even as an adult, the muntjac remains only about the size of a dog and does not grow much larger. Males are usually larger and more muscular than females.

Southern red muntjacs can live quite long. In captivity, they often reach 15 to 21 years, with an average of around 17. In the wild, they live shorter lives because of predators and natural dangers.

Male muntjacs have short, simple antlers about 7 to 15cm long. These antlers grow from long bony stalks on the forehead, giving them a strong, ridged look. This is why they are sometimes called “rib-faced deer.” The antlers fall off each year and grow back during the breeding season. Although they look like deer, muntjacs are not closely related to true deer.

The males southern red muntjac also have long upper canine teeth, about 2 to 4cm, that curve slightly outward. They use these tusk-like teeth to fight other males for territory or mates. These fights can sometimes cause serious injuries.

On the face, there is a large scent gland in front of each eye. It is most visible in males and helps them mark territory and attract females during mating season. Females do not have antlers, only a small tuft of stiff hair and a bony bump in that area. This makes it easy to tell males and females apart.

The muntjac’s coat is soft, short, and dense, becoming thicker in cold regions. Its color ranges from dark brown to light yellow or grayish brown, helping it blend into the forest. It has a curved back, a small triangular head, and short legs.

Male muntjacs grow small, simple antlers and have reddish-brown coats.

Geographic Distribution and Habitat

The southern red muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) has the widest range among all small deer species in Asia. It is found from South Asia to Southeast Asia, covering countries such as Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, southern China, and the major islands of Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Bali, and Sri Lanka.

Muntjac deer live mainly in tropical and subtropical forests, including rainforests, dry forests, monsoon forests, bamboo forests, and scrublands. They can also be found in grasslands, savannas, or forest edges where food is easy to find and escape routes are nearby. These deer prefer areas close to water sources such as streams, swamps, or wetlands, as they need water to drink and cool their bodies.

They are often active at forest edges or open spaces with partial cover, which allows them to watch for predators while staying hidden. Muntjacs live at many elevations, from sea level up to about 3,000m, and are especially common on the lower slopes of the Himalayas and across Indochina.

Distribution in Vietnam

Vietnam is part of the muntjac’s natural range. Several muntjac deer subspecies have been recorded here:

• Muntiacus muntjak nigripes - the black-legged muntjac, found in Vietnam and Hainan Island, China.
• Muntiacus muntjak annamensis - the Annam muntjac, found in Indochina, including Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

In Vietnam, southern red muntjacs are most likely to inhabit large national parks such as Cat Tien, Yok Don, Bach Ma, and Phong Nha–Ke Bang, where dense forests and rich vegetation still provide ideal habitats for the species.

Barking Deer in Cat Tien National Park

In Cat Tien National Park, the exact population of southern red muntjacs is not known, but the species is regularly recorded through camera traps and ranger observations. These small deer often roam around open grasslands, forest edges, and near waterholes, where they can graze and drink safely.

Southern red muntjac in Cat Tien are most active during early morning (around 5:00–8:00) and late afternoon (4:00–7:00), when temperatures are cooler and predators are less active. During these hours, they feed on tender leaves, fruits, young shoots, and fallen fruits under tall forest canopies.

They are occasionally seen alone or in pairs, especially near areas such as Bau Sau, Trang Nho, and forest-edge grasslands. Their presence indicates a healthy forest ecosystem, as muntjacs play an important role in seed dispersal and vegetation control within Cat Tien’s tropical forests.

Cat Tien’s muntjacs roam quietly through dense woods and grassy clearings.

Diet and Feeding Habits

The muntjac deer is an omnivorous and mixed-feeding species. It eats grass, leaves, fruits, flowers, and sometimes bird eggs or small animals. However, it is also a selective feeder, preferring soft, low-fiber plants that are rich in energy and protein.

Southern red muntjac diet includes young shoots, fruits, seeds, bark, and small herbs. When food is scarce, the muntjac may even scavenge and eat carrion. This behavior shows its great ability to adapt to changing environments.

A unique habit of the muntjac deers is nibbling. It lightly bites leaves and small branches rather than chewing large pieces. This small, gentle feeding action helps tell it apart from other deer species.

Muntjacs usually feed along forest edges or open areas where food is easy to find and escape routes are nearby. They are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, when the forest is quiet and cool.

Predators and Defense Mechanisms

The muntjac deer faces many natural predators such as tigers, leopards, clouded leopards, golden jackals, wild dogs, and Asiatic black bears. They are also hunted by large reptiles and carnivorous cats like pythons, crocodiles, fishing cats, and Asian golden cats. Young fawns are especially vulnerable to foxes, wild boars, and birds of prey. These predators help keep the muntjac population in balance with the ecosystem.

One of the muntjac’s most unique traits is its barking call, which sounds like a dog’s bark. This call warns others of danger and may continue for over an hour when visibility is poor. In India, pheasant hunters even use the muntjac’s barking as a signal that a tiger or leopard is nearby.

Though small, male muntjac deers defend themselves with sharp upper canine teeth that curve outward. These tusk-like teeth can cause deep wounds, especially when fighting off dogs or other attackers.

When alarmed, the muntjac stamps its forelegs on the ground and stands alert, scanning its surroundings before running away swiftly into the forest. In the food chain, weaker males or those without territories are often preyed upon first. This natural selection process helps maintain the genetic strength and health of the species.

Leopards and dholes hunt them, but muntjacs flee fast and bark loudly.

Social and Territorial Behavior

The muntjac deer can be active both day and night, depending on its habitat and the level of safety. Feeding is its second most frequent activity, taking up about 33% of its time. During this period, it grazes on grass, browses leaves, and searches for fruits or other food sources.

In the wild, muntjacs are most active in the early morning and late afternoon when the temperature is cooler and predators are less active. Muntjacs are solitary animals, living alone most of the time. They only pair up during the breeding season or when females care for their young. Seeing more than four or five individuals together is extremely rare.

Males are highly territorial and maintain clear boundaries from others. They mark their territory using preorbital glands located in front of the eyes, rubbing scent on trees, bushes, or the ground. Sometimes, they also scrape the soil with their hooves and teeth to reinforce their territory.

When resting, a muntjac usually lies with its front legs folded beneath its body, or it may stand still and alert with its head raised. While sleeping, it curls up with its head resting against its neck to keep warm.

Movement takes about 5–6% of its time. It often walks slowly, stopping frequently to watch and listen. When alarmed, it can leap or dash quickly into the forest to escape danger.

The muntjac’s barking call is one of the most distinctive sounds among deer species. Both males and females can produce this dog-like call. In addition to barking, females may make mewing sounds, similar to a cat’s meow, to avoid males during mating season. Both sexes also stamp their feet when they feel threatened, a behavior that warns others of possible danger.

Each muntjac guards a small territory marked by scent and vocal calls.

Reproductive Behavior

The muntjac is polygamous, meaning one male mates with several females each year. Females can breed all year round without a fixed mating season. During the breeding period, males often fight fiercely to defend their territory and win over females. They use their short antlers and sharp canine teeth as weapons.

The gestation period lasts about 6 to 7 months (180–210 days). Each birth usually produces only one fawn, and twins are rare. The female chooses a dense, hidden area to give birth and care for her young, where it is safe from predators.

A newborn muntjac weighs around 550–650g and has spotted fur that helps it blend into its surroundings. It remains still for long periods to avoid being detected by predators. After a few days, the fawn starts to follow its mother to feed and explore nearby areas.

The nursing period continues for several months. Sometimes, a mother may nurse two offspring of different ages at the same time. This close physical contact strengthens the bond between mother and young. By about 6 months old, the young muntjac becomes independent. Males, in particular, begin to establish their own territory, marking the start of their solitary life in the forest.

Threat and Conservation Status

The Southern Red Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) is listed as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, meaning it is not currently at risk of extinction on a global scale. This classification reflects its wide distribution and stable population across much of Asia. In India alone, the population is estimated at around 140,000 to 150,000 individuals.

Although the species has disappeared from Singapore, it still occurs widely throughout Southeast Asia, including countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Its adaptability and broad range make it an important part of Asia’s forest ecosystems.

Major Threats

The greatest threat to the southern red muntjac is habitat loss, caused by deforestation, agricultural expansion, and logging. As forests shrink and become fragmented, muntjacs are forced into smaller areas, reducing their ability to breed and move freely in the wild.

Hunting and poaching remain common in many regions, mainly for meat and skins. In some areas, they are also hunted for sport or sold in local bushmeat markets.

Human–wildlife conflict often occurs in farming areas when muntjacs feed on crops, strip bark, or bite off young shoots. In regions where populations are dense, bark-stripping behavior can seriously damage trees, harm forest regeneration, and reduce available habitats for other species.

This bark-stripping activity also decreases timber resources and affects the food chain by destroying vegetation that smaller animals depend on. In agricultural zones near forests, muntjacs are sometimes seen as nuisance species because of their crop-raiding habits and damage to fruit trees.

Conservation Efforts

Muntjac deer are raised in zoos and research centers as part of ex-situ conservation programs. They adapt easily and reproduce well, which helps keep healthy populations with good genetic diversity. These programs also support future releases of muntjacs back into the wild.

In protected forests, in-situ conservation focuses on keeping their habitats safe, stopping hunting, and teaching local people about the muntjac’s importance to nature. These actions help maintain the balance of tropical forests where muntjacs play an important role.

Notes for Visitors when Spotting a Muntjac

- Stay quiet and move slowly because muntjacs are very shy and easily startled.

- Keep a safe distance and never chase or try to feed them.

- Avoid using flash photography or loud camera clicks.

- Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for wildlife observation.

- Always follow your guide’s instructions and stay on marked trails.

- Do not leave food or litter in the forest, as it can disturb animals.

Katien Safari will collaborate with Cat Tien National Park to launch new wildlife conservation and eco-observation programs. These will allow small visitor groups to safely observe animals like the muntjac while supporting biodiversity protection and sustainable tourism in Vietnam.

5 Interesting facts about Muntjac Deer

- The muntjac deer spends about 59–69% of its day resting, which includes standing still, sitting, and sleeping.

- The male muntjac has long, curved canine teeth that look like tiny tusks. It is a special weapon that most other deer species don’t have.

- The barking deer is the most omnivorous deer. It eats grass, leaves, bird eggs, fruits, and sometimes even carrion when food is scarce.

- Male barking deer has only 7 chromosome pairs, and females have 6. Other deer have 30 to 70 pairs, so scientists study barking deer to learn about chromosome evolution.

- Fossils show the Southern Red Muntjac has lived since the late Pleistocene, about 12,000 years ago. It is among the oldest known deer species.