Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Tragulidae
- Genus
- Tragulus
Habitat
This species primarily inhabits dense evergreen forests and mountainous regions in central Vietnam. It prefers areas with thick undergrowth and proximity to water sources for cover and foraging. Terrain includes hilly landscapes up to 1,000 meters elevation, where it avoids open areas.
Diet
The Vietnam mouse-deer feeds mainly on leaves, fruits, and shoots from understory plants, with a preference for soft vegetation. It forages nocturnally to avoid predators, spending time browsing low-lying foliage. Feeding behavior is solitary, allowing it to remain hidden in dense cover.
Behavior
Vietnam mouse-deer are primarily solitary and nocturnal, resting in dense vegetation during the day and becoming active at night to forage. They exhibit territorial behavior, with males marking areas using scent glands, and they are highly elusive, fleeing quickly when threatened. In social interactions, they are generally non-aggressive but may vocalize softly during mating.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the Vietnam mouse-deer is Endangered, with a decreasing population trend due to habitat loss from deforestation and hunting pressure. Major threats include fragmentation of forest habitats and illegal wildlife trade.