Conservation Status: Introduced, locally common and increasing in numbers.
Hertfordshire:Under recorded
Protection: Covered by various Acts of Parliament which relate to culling, firearm restrictions, capture, handling and movement of deer. Unlike most other deer in Britain, there is no closed season because they breed all year round.
General Information: Originally introduced into Bedfordshire, they are now well established. They are the smallest deer in Britain. Brown in colour they show a white tail flag when alarmed. Their antlers have single spikes pointing backwards and the males have protruding upper canine teeth. The preferred habitat for muntjac is broadleaved woodland with a diverse ground and shrub layer. They also frequent scrub along railway embankments and gardens on the fringe of urban areas. They are browsers selecting the leaves and buds of shrubs and trees. Their short loud barks are very distinctive.
Threats: Culling and road traffic accidents are the main causes of mortality.
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