Black musk deer [1] ( lat. Moschus fuscus ) is a cloven - hoofed mammal from the musk deer family. Inhabits southwestern China, northern Burma, northeastern India, Bhutan, eastern Nepal [2] .
| Black musk deer |
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| Scientific classification |
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| No rank : | Bilateral symmetrical |
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| International scientific name |
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Moschus fuscus Li , 1981 |
| Area |
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| Security status |
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Endangered speciesIUCN 3.1 Endangered : 13896 |
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M. fuscus looks like a small deer with long powerful hind legs compared to the front and without horns. Black musk deer has large and well-developed ears and eyes. Males and females are the same size, from 70 to 100 cm in length and weighing 10 and 15 kg, and they usually have thick brown fur. Geographical color variations. The upper canines of the males are saber-shaped, but the females do not. Mature males have a musky gland, and females have two nipples [3] .
In black musk deer, the mating period begins from the end of November to December and lasts approximately one month. Polygyny is characteristic of them; the male mates with more than one female per season. During the breeding season, males mark their site with secretions of the musk gland [3] [4] [5] .
Pregnancy lasts about six months, childbirth usually occurs in June or July. As a rule, females give birth to one or two cubs. Newborns weigh about 500 g and are spotty in color. The mother takes care of the cubs for several months until weaning occurs. This process usually takes three to four months. At six months, young individuals, as a rule, grow to the size of adults, but reach puberty only at 18 months [3] [4] [5] .
Little is known about the care of offspring in black musk deer. Females, obviously, take care of the offspring alone and without the help of males for 3-4 months. As a rule, young individuals follow their mothers throughout this period, and the mother protects the cubs and takes care of them [4] .
The secretions of the muscular glands of adult males are used in the perfume industry. Black musk deer are hunted for money. In the 1980s there was a period when adult musk musk was four times more expensive than gold of the same weight, due to the high demand for raw materials for the perfume industry. Another reason for hunting black musk deer is related to the belief that its musk has healing properties. It is traditionally used as a sedative and stimulant [4] [6] .
Due to excessive hunting in the IUCN Red List, this taxon has been assigned the conservation status “ Endangered Species ” (EN) [2] . Another factor reducing the number of black musk deer is the loss of habitat as a result of deforestation. No serious measures are taken to protect this species [3] [4] [5] [7] [6] .
