INDIAN MOUSE DEER

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Context

• A rare Indian mouse deer or spotted Chevrotain has been seen in the Kanger Valley National Park in Chhattisgarh.

About the Indian Mouse Deer

• Of the 12 species of deer found in India, the mouse deer is one of the smallest ones.
• Biological name: Moschiola Indica.
• Indian Spotted Chevrotain or Indian Mouse Deer (Moschiola indica) is an Artiodactyl e. a species of even toed ungulate in the family Tragulidae.
• It is the smallest deer in India and is highly nocturnal.
• It is a rare species to spot in wild since it is very shy and of cryptic nature.
• They are an ancient group of frugivorous ungulates, small-bodied and active both day and night. 
• Other than being preyed upon by carnivores like dholes, tigers and leopards, Indian chevrotain plays an important ecological role as seed dispersers.

Location

• It is found mainly in rainforests of South Asia and Southeast Asia.
• It is found in India, Sri Lanka and possibly Nepal.
• It prefers living in dense forests.
• They are often found in evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous forests, as well as in grassland and commercial plantations.

Threats

• The species is facing serious threats due to wildfires, encroachment and poaching.

Conservation

• The conservation status of Indian mouse deer, according to IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources), is Least Concern.

Diet

• It forages on forest floor for fruits, roots, leaves and herbs.
• It has occasionally been observed eating insects, crustaceans and even small mammals.

Description

• Head and body length in the species typically are 50 to 60 cm.
• It is dull brown in colour with three to four dotted white stripes going longitudinally along flank.
• The weight can reach between 3 to 4 kg.
• The males have no antlers, like those of other deer, but have visible upper canines.
• Most of the Chevrotains are digitigrades walking on toes only without letting heels to touch the ground.

MUST READ ARTICLES:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/kanger-valley-national-park

PRACTICE QUESTION Q) How many of the following statements with reference to Indian Mouse Deer is/are correct? 1. Most of the Chevrotains are digitigrades. 2. The conservation status of Indian mouse deer, according to IUCN is Vulnerable. 3. It prefers living in dense forests. Only 1 Only 2 Only 3 None Correct Answer: 2

https://theprint.in/india/rare-indian-mouse-deer-spotted-in-kanger-valley-national-park-in-chhattisgarh/1602955/