Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Tragulidae
- Genus
- Tragulus
Habitat
This species inhabits dense tropical rainforests and secondary growth forests on the islands of the Philippines, particularly in lowland and montane areas up to 1,000 meters. It prefers undergrowth with thick vegetation for cover and is rarely found in open areas or degraded habitats.
Diet
The Philippine mouse-deer primarily feeds on leaves, fruits, shoots, and fallen seeds from the forest floor. It is a nocturnal browser, foraging alone during the night to avoid predators, and may occasionally consume fungi or insects.
Behavior
Philippine mouse-deer are solitary animals that are primarily nocturnal, resting in dense vegetation during the day and foraging at night. They exhibit territorial behavior, with males marking their areas with scent glands, and they are generally shy, fleeing quickly when threatened. Vocalizations are rare but include soft whistles during mating.
Conservation Status
The IUCN lists the Philippine mouse-deer as Endangered, with a decreasing population trend due to habitat loss from deforestation and hunting pressure. Major threats include fragmentation of forests and potential poaching for the pet trade.