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This shy, diminutive
even-toed ungulate, measures less than 50 cm long. It ekes a living on the
floor of primary and secondary forests feeding on leaves, shoots, fruits and
sometimes fungi. It is nocturnal and crepuscular (i.e. active early morning
and late afternoon).
The fur is mainly
reddish-brown, with white markings on the neck, and the underparts are pale.
The legs are delicate and slender, the body arched, and the tail usually
tucked beneath the hind-quarters. Males have protruding canines.
The species is identified by the characteristic inverted chevron pattern on
the throat and upper chest.
The species ranges from
southern China, Indochina and Thailand through Peninsular Malaysia and
Singapore to Sumatra, Java and Borneo.
Figs 1 and 2 :
Specimens encountered during late afternoon and early evening in secondary forest, Singapore.
Figs 3 and 4 : Another specimen sheltering in a thicket at night,
Singapore.
Order : ARTIODACTYLA
Family : Tragulidae
Species : Tragulus kanchil
Head-Body Length : 42-49cm
Tail Length : 6-9cm
Weight : 2.0-2.5 kg
References : M1, M2
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