Mammal · GBIF taxon 7261464
Lesser Oriental Chevrotain
Tragulus kanchilAlso known as Lesser Mouse-deer, Lesser Malay Chevrotain, Kanchil
Lesser Oriental chevrotains are among the smallest living hoofed mammals, navigating dense tropical underbrush with delicate, slender legs. Males lack antlers or horns, relying instead on lengthened upper canine teeth to defend territories and court mates. These secretive creatures spend their days resting in hollow logs or thick foliage, emerging at dusk to feed on fallen fruits, seeds, and tender leaves.
NocturnalTiny MammalRainforest
1 / 7—observations
—countries
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Fallen fruits
- Leaves
- Fungi
Predators
- Reticulated Python
- Clouded Leopard
- Asian Golden Cat
ThreatsHabitat loss, deforestation, and indiscriminate wire snaring
HabitatsLowland tropical rainforests, mangroves, dense thickets
Life span8–12 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderArtiodactyla
- FamilyTragulidae
- GenusTragulus
- SpeciesTragulus kanchil
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Patience: Move quietly along rainforest trails at dawn or dusk when activity peaks.
- Flashlight use: Use a muted red beam to avoid blinding their sensitive eyes.
- Distance: Keep a silent distance to avoid triggering their quick flight response.
Predator "Clouded Leopard catching the light" by charlieishere@btinternet.com is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Close Relative (WT-de) Mistoffeles / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Linda Kenney, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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