Java mouse-deer Tragulus javanicus
This tiny deer is the smallest ungulate on earth.
The lesser chevrotain lives its life hidden away in Java’s dense rainforest.
The lesser chevrotain in a nutshell
- eats
- leaves, buds and fruits
- inhabits
- Java, Indonesia
- excels at
- seeing in the dark
Miniature deer
The lesser chevrotain is the smallest ungulate on Earth and belongs to the even-toed ungulates, a large group of ungulates with an even number of toes. Within this group, the lesser chevrotain belongs to the miniature deer family due to its diminutive size, and the fact that it does not have antlers like a ‘true’ deer. The male chevrotain has elongated upper canines that protrude diagonally down and from the sides of his mouth like razor-sharp tusks. They are formidable weapons, especially when the males fight over a female.
Nutrition
Unlike many other ungulates, the lesser chevrotain does not eat grass. Instead, it searches the forest floor for fruits, leaves, herbs and mushrooms. Like some other herbivores, the chevrotain has three stomachs in order to digest these foods.
Foot-stamping
By nature, the lesser chevrotain is a shy, quiet creature that tries to remain hidden. The only sound it makes is a shrill cry that it utters when frightened. When danger threatens, it stamps its hooves on the ground quickly at a speed of up to seven times per second.
Fabled creatures
The lesser chevrotain is a common character in Indonesian fairy tales. These stories always revolve around the fact that the chevrotain is not strong, and must therefore be clever instead, squeezing out of tight spots by outsmarting other animals.
Lesser chevrotain species conservation
ARTIS coordinates the European Species Conservation Programme (EEP) for the lesser chevrotain, helping to ensure that genetically healthy populations of this species persist, both now in zoos, and for possible reintroduction into the wild. This is important for the conservation of biodiversity, particularly since human activity is posing an increasing threat to habitats.
