Quick facts

Lifespan

12 years

Diet

Fruits and salads

Habitat

The forest is rocky and is found in the tropical forest of Southeast Asia

Range

The lesser mousedeer is found widely across Southeast Asia in Indochina, Brunei, Cambodia, China (Southern Yunnan), Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The Lesser Mousedeer or Lesser Chevrotain is the smallest species of all hoofed animals in the world. An adult mousedeer measured 45cm long, 30cm tall and weight around 2kg, about the size of a rabbit. The male has no antler, but has a pair of elongated canines projecting from its upperjaw (like an elephants tusks) which are used to defend itself and its mate.