Imagine a deer without antlers but with sharp fangs, like a vampire. This is not a fairy tale, but a reality.
Such animals inhabit Asia and are known as water deer and muntjacs. Their upper canines can reach lengths of up to ten centimeters, but they are not used for attacking; rather, they serve for defense and battles between males. These species have replaced antlers with peculiar 'tusks' — convenient weapons in dense thickets.
Interestingly, water deer can also be found in the United Kingdom: in the 19th century, the Duke of Bedford brought them there, effectively saving the species from extinction. Today, some of these animals live in the wild, while in their homeland, China, the population remains vulnerable. Muntjacs suffer due to the hunting of musk — a substance used in perfumery and traditional medicine, which has led to their mass extermination by poachers.
Despite their fearsome appearance, muntjacs are harmless herbivores. Nature simply chose an unusual way for them to stand out among others.
Leave a comment