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- Siberian Musk Deer
Siberian Musk Deer
Artiodactyla, Bovidae, Musk Deer
Moschus moschiferus
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Male Siberian Musk Deers secrete a substance called musk which has a smell that attracts females. Unfortunately, this odor also attracts humans, which has put the deer on the brink of extinction.
Body length: 90-100cm
Tail length: 4-6cm
Weight: 7-17kg
(Source: Doubutsu Sekai-isan* Red Data Animals Kodansha) (*World Animal Heritage)
The Siberian Musk Deer lives in the mountain forests of Russia, China, and the Korean Peninsula.
The Siberian Musk Deer eats grass, moss, tree leaves, and sprouts.
The male has long, tusk-like canine teeth that look as impressive as Dracula the vampire's.
Find out more about the Siberian Musk Deer!
Musk used to attract female deer also attracts humans...
The Siberian Musk Deer lives in Russia, China, and on the Korean Peninsula. Although they are called "deer", they are actually part of a different family. A feature they do not share with true deer is their ability to secrete a waxy substance called musk. The odor of musk is used to attract females. However, female deer are not the only ones attracted to this odor. Humans hunt for it to make medicine and perfume.
Females and fawns are also victims!
Musk has been traded at unbelievable prices. Seeking the musk in the male body, humans have captured numerous Siberian Musk Deers, causing a sharp decline in their population. Illegal trade doesn't stop even though there are laws that prohibit their import and export. It has been reported that about 25,000 deer were poached from 1990 to 2001, but that number could be much higher considering that poachers cannot tell the difference between males and females or even fawns.
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