Chevrotain
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The four species of chevrotain, also known as mouse deer (not to be confused with deer mice, Peromyscus), make up the family Tragulidae. Chevrotains are small, secretive creatures, now found only in the tropical forests of Africa, India, and South-east Asia. They are the only living members of the infraorder Tragulina.
The family was widespread and successful from the Oligocene (34 million years ago) to the Miocene (about 5 million years ago), but has remained almost unchanged over that time and remains as an example of primitive ruminant form. Chevrotains have a four-chambered stomach to ferment tough plant foods, but the third chamber is poorly developed. They do not have horns or antlers, and their short, thin legs leave them lacking in agility.
The largest member of the family is the Water Chevrotain of Africa, at about 80 cm in length and roughly 10 kilograms. It is regarded as the most pig-like and primitive of the four. The remaining three all prefer rocky forest habitats. The Lesser Mouse Deer (Malay kancil) of South-east Asia is the smallest, and one of the smallest ungulates at around 45 cm and 2 kilograms.
All four species depend for their survival on the retention of their fast-dwindling forest habitat and restriction of the bush meat trade.
- SUBORDER RUMINANTIA
- Family Tragulidae
- * Water Chevrotain, Hyemoschus aquaticus
- * Indian Spotted Chevrotain, Moschiola meminna
- * Lesser Mouse Deer, Tragulus javanicus
- * Greater Mouse Deer, Tragulus napu
- Family Moschidae: musk deer
- Family Cervidae: deer
- Family Giraffidae: Giraffe and Okapi
- Family Antilocapridae: Pronghorn
- Family Bovidae: cattle, goats, sheep, and antelope
Miscellaneous
The Mouse-deer or chevrotian is called "Jarini Pandi" in Telugu language which literally means " a deer and a mouse".
The Malaysian-made Perodua Kancil car is named after the mousedeer, as it is a very small vehicle.
Links to Photos
- http://www.montoutou.com/Chevrotain.jpg
- http://www.garden-city.org/zoo/animalinfo/images/greater_malayan_chevrotain.jpg
- http://www.mandji.net/images/chevrotain1.jpg
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