9 Fascinating Facts About the Chevrotain

With its round body, delicate legs, and sharp fangs, this strange creature could easily give the platypus a run for its money. Also called the mouse deer, chevrotains are introverted and enigmatic, with much still to be discovered about them. Here's what we *do* know so far.

1. Chevrotains are neither mice nor deer.

At first sight, these creatures seem like a bizarre blend of a deer, mouse, and pig. While mouse deer belong to a suborder shared with deer (Ruminantia), they aren't classified as “true deer.” Instead, they have their own family, Tragulidae.

2. The weight of chevrotain species varies.

These animals are much smaller than typical deer. Depending on the species, a chevrotain can weigh between 4 and 33 pounds. The smallest is the lesser Malay, while the largest is the water chevrotain. No species grows larger than a small dog.

3. There is a wide variety of chevrotain species.

This tiny creature comes in various forms. The family is split into two genera: true chevrotains (Hyemoschus) and the mouse deer (Tragulus). The spotted mouse deer remain quite mysterious, which is why scientists have placed them in a separate genus called Moschiola. Although classified in different genera, they all share a similar appearance.

4. The fangs of a chevrotain are more terrifying than Dracula's.

If you open a chevrotain’s mouth, you’ll find two long fangs. These teeth are particularly long in males, who use their sharp canine teeth to stab each other. Thanks to a thick coat and strong muscles around their neck and rear, these adorable fighters are shielded from injury during their battles.

5. Some people refer to the chevrotain as a living fossil.

Chevrotains are considered the most primitive of ruminants. Like deer and other hoofed animals, they have even-toed hooves and a multi-chambered stomach. However, unlike deer, chevrotains have a three-chambered stomach instead of four, and they don’t have horns or antlers. Their evolutionary history is largely unchanged, making them a link between ruminants and non-ruminants in the animal kingdom.

6. The best defense of the water chevrotain is a good swim.

The water chevrotain is famous for its ability to dive underwater when it detects danger. These small swimmers tuck their bodies and walk along the river or stream beds to avoid being swept away by the current. If there are reeds or plants around, they grab onto them to stay in place. These creatures can hold their breath for up to four minutes.

While evading predators, the water chevrotain can surface to catch its breath before diving back underwater. However, the animal tires quickly and can only swim for brief periods.

7. Giving birth is a quick process for chevrotains.

After pregnancy, a female chevrotain carries her young for five to nine months, depending on the species. The baby typically becomes mobile within an hour of birth. Mothers will periodically return to feed their offspring, standing on three legs while nursing.

Chevrotains are known for their ability to be almost constantly pregnant—greater and lesser Malay mouse deer can mate again only hours after giving birth.

8. Chevrotains are timid and solitary creatures.

Because of their small size, chevrotains are hunted by many predators. Without antlers or horns for defense, these delicate animals are forced to lead secluded lives. Some species are nocturnal and almost never seen. Chevrotains are incredibly shy, often grazing alone and only coming together to mate. They communicate using a combination of scents and sounds, and their elusive nature makes them challenging for scientists to study.

9. Chevrotain hooves are surprisingly noisy.

Although generally calm, a male chevrotain will furiously stomp his hooves when upset—repeatedly striking the ground four to seven times per second. This “drum roll” method helps scare off predators and signals other chevrotains nearby that danger is present.

Additional sources: "Water Chevrotain," Amazing Animals of the World; "Chevrotains (Tragulidae)," Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia; Mammals IV, Gale Virtual Reference Library