Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Tragulidae
- Genus
- Moschiola
Habitat
This species primarily inhabits dense tropical forests, including rainforests and scrublands, in Sri Lanka, often near water sources. It prefers areas with thick undergrowth for cover and is found from lowlands up to 1,500 meters in elevation. Geographic preferences are limited to Sri Lanka, with possible overlap in southern India.
Diet
The Sri Lankan spotted chevrotain feeds mainly on fruits, leaves, shoots, and fallen seeds, which it forages from the forest floor. It exhibits nocturnal feeding behavior, actively searching for food at night to avoid predators. This herbivorous diet helps in seed dispersal within its habitat.
Behavior
Sri Lankan spotted chevrotains are primarily solitary and territorial, marking their areas with scent glands and avoiding direct confrontations. They are nocturnal, spending days hidden in dense vegetation and becoming active at dusk for foraging and mating. Notable behaviors include a bounding gait when alarmed and vocalizations like whistles to communicate threats.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status is Near Threatened, with population trends showing a decline due to habitat loss from deforestation and agriculture. Major threats include hunting for meat and road accidents in fragmented habitats.