the subfamily of the musk-stags Moschinae with only one type becomes the species-hands subfamily the actual stags (Cervinae) compared. Both subfamilies form the family of the stags (Cervidae) together.
Characteristics The musk deer is a primitive stag-type. It doesn't have yet any antlers but only tusk-good cuspids like the predecessors of the stags in the upper jaw. The cuspids of the males protrude from the mouth over the lips away. In contrast to the remaining stags, musk deer possess a gall bladder. Male musk-stags have a glandular-rich Hauteinstülpung, the musk-bag, between navels and penis-opening. In the combination-time, the bag contains musk, a scent-material, amply. Further scent-materials isolate the anal-glands in the area of the tail-root. The musk deer lack the pre-eyes and inter-toe-glands, that exist with the remaining stags.
The side-toes of the musk-stags are well developed; they touch the ground in normal run and can be extended far. An instep-skin is between the main-toes.
Shape The musk deer is relatively small with a withers-height of 55 cm; its weight is by 15 kg accordingly. It is built over because of its long hind legs behind. The dense fur doesn't have any sub-wool; the hair is rough and brittle. The small head with big, rounded ears sits on a very movable neck. The short, triangular tail is bushy hairy, with the male, it carries an Endquaste.
The coloring varies from dark brown over red - after tawny. Some animals have light at the neck and backs stains and strips. The kids are white spotted.
Habitat Musk-stags live in moist mountain-forests of means and Eastern Asia; they prefer terrains with steep hillsides. Undergrowth-rich needle-forests and rhododendron-hedges are typical. In the summer, musk deer ascend as far as to the snowfields and usually don't come down under 2500 m.
Way of life Musk deer are individually or in pairs alive. Dams lead approximately for 1 years 1 or 2 kids. The animals are predominantly at night or in the twilight active. During the day, they rest in myself-scratched hollows, that remind of the Sasse of a hare. Musk deer use solid changes, that are marked by scent-brands. They seek within its precinct decided excrement-places on. After the Kotabsetzen, they scratch sand or earth over the excrement-piles with the front-runs.
This small stag is extraordinarily movable. it climbs over gravel and rocks, runs over soft swamp or relaxed snow and ascends even slanted-standing trees. it jumps excellently and places in fast run the rear - before the front-feet. The walk acts as a jumping. Since also the anus-toes are put on, the step-seal with the 4 peel-marks is unmistakable. Musk deer are good swimmers. they can rise on the hind legs and can stand almost one half minute long in this attitude. Occasionally, they support themselves at a vertical surface on that occasion with its front-legs.
The severe mobility of the body of the musk deer gets the validity with the fur-care. they virtually reach each body-place with the tongue or the runs. Occasionally, a musk deer with positioned front-runs crouches on its rear-clubs. It reminds of a kangaroo in this attitude.
The voice is a loud hiss or whistles.
Reproduction Musk deer are combined in the incipient winter (Octobers until December). The bucks fight together by seeking to hurt themselves at neck, backs and flanks with the dagger-good upper cuspids. they often embrace yourself with the necks on that occasion. Old males carry scars of such fights. In the heat, the bucks exude an intensive musk-smell, that should be to be clearly perceived also for human noses on some distance.
After approximately 160 days of Tragzeit, the female places 1 or 2 know-spotted kids. The boys are Ablieger, that hidden between rocks or in the hedge, holds. With one year, musk deer are reproductive-capable, but only with 3 years completely adult. The musk-bag of the bucks then gained its full size.
Meaning for the human being By the musk deer, the musk-gland is utilized mainly. The musk-bag of an adult buck contains approximately 30 g of the anoint-good scent-material. Musk is for the manufacture of perfume of importance even if the production of musk became superfluous in the present through artificial scent-substances. Nevertheless, musk deer are held People's Republic of China in farms in it to the musk-production.
Endangering The continuances of the musk deer go because of from habitat-destruction and Bejagung back.
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