Water deer
A species of Hydropotes, Also known as Chinese water deer Scientific name : Hydropotes inermis Genus : Hydropotes
Water deer, A species of Hydropotes
Also known as:
Chinese water deer
Scientific name: Hydropotes inermis
Genus: Hydropotes
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Shizhao , used under CC-BY-SA-2.5 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The water deer (Hydropotes inermis) is a common species of deer in East Asia. Despite its name, it has less in common with a deer than with a musk deer, but is still more closely related to the former.
General Info
Lifespan
10-12 years
Diet
Relying primarily on a herbivorous diet, water deer utilizes its narrow snout to feed on aquatic plants, grasses, and leaves. It has a particular preference for reeds and rushes, typically found in its wetland habitats.
Appearance
Water deer is a small, hesperocyon-looking deer with small bodies covered with a short, wiry coat that is primarily light brown but turns greyish in winter. It has white spots and stripes that are more pronounced in fawns. Male water deer are distinctive in having long, unbranched, and downward-pointing antlers, while females have none.
Behavior
Water deer exhibits both diurnal and nocturnal activity, mainly grazing at dusk and dawn. This species is unique in its antler shedding during winter, done by males. Residing in small groups, it partakes in vigilant behaviour to detect predators. Males engage in aggressive, non-fatal territorial fights during the breeding season.
Population
Decreasing
Scientific Classification
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