Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Tragulidae
- Genus
- Tragulus
Habitat
Lesser mouse-deer primarily inhabit tropical and subtropical forests, including rainforests, secondary growth, and mangrove swamps in Southeast Asia, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. They prefer areas with dense undergrowth and proximity to water sources for cover and foraging. This terrain allows them to evade predators and access food easily in both lowland and hilly regions.
Diet
Lesser mouse-deer are herbivores that mainly eat leaves, fruits, shoots, and fungi found on the forest floor. They forage nocturnally, using their keen sense of smell to locate food, and may browse on low-hanging vegetation or fallen items. Feeding occurs primarily at night to avoid detection, helping them consume a variety of plant materials for nutrition.
Behavior
Lesser mouse-deer are solitary animals that are primarily nocturnal, spending days hidden in dense vegetation and becoming active at dusk to forage. They exhibit territorial behavior, with males marking their ranges using scent glands, and they are generally shy, relying on freezing or quick dashes to escape threats. In encounters, they may stand still to blend into surroundings or emit a high-pitched call when alarmed.
Conservation Status
The lesser mouse-deer is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population trend across its range in Southeast Asia. Major threats include habitat loss from deforestation and hunting for bushmeat.