Nature Watch: Muntjac – Nature’s Little Vampires

I want you to think of a deer. Perhaps Bambi comes to mind? What if I refined my request and said I wanted you to think of a deer that had retractable vampire fangs, is as big as a medium sized dog, and has flaring scent glands on its face? Any idea?

If you read that and immediately thought ‘Muntjac’, congratulations (even if it’s because you read the title of this article). If not, you’re in for a wild ride.

We’re lucky enough to have at least three muntjacs that regularly visit the school grounds, two female and one male. One of the females has been named Barbara, but we’ve yet to decide on names for the other two, so if anything comes to mind, do let us know at sustainability@stbarts.co.uk

Perhaps the most striking thing about muntjac are their flaring scent glands, located on their face. These glands are used to mark territory.

Now you may be thinking, “that’s all well and good but didn’t I read retractable vampire fangs before?” And the answer is yes, yes you did. Muntjacs do indeed have ‘elongated canine teeth’ which males use for display during mating rituals and to fight off rivals. While they’re technically not fangs, ‘elongated canine teeth’ just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

Miss Barrett, Sustainability Lead