The Wildlife of
Croome

 
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Mammals - The Muntjac Deer

First seen on Tuesday 14th May 2019 at Croome

This deer has proved particularly elusive for me at Croome, and although I've seen the occasional one, they have usually been while I'm driving, so no chance of a photo. Sadly these photos aren't all that wonderful, but at least this one briefly appeared while I was on foot. Frustratingly, it soon wandered into the undergrowth and was lost from sight.


 

Muntjac deer are actually called Reeves' Muntjac and are native to China. They were introduced in Woburn Park in Edwardian times, escaped, and spread to most of the country. It is a small deer (making it difficult to spot). The male has short (10cm) antlers, so this one is probably a female. It has two black stripes running down its face forming a 'V', but viewed from this angle, the clearest form of identification is the short flat tail, with no rump patch like some deer. Having said that, when alarmed, they raise their tail to show a bright white underside - this one obviously wasn't worried!