Alpine Musk Deer Latest News
A recent report said that the alpine musk deer faces mounting conservation concerns, with India’s recognised zoos reporting just two living captive Himalayan musk deer—both male—and no females.
About Alpine Musk Deer
- The Alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) is a musk deer species found only in Asia.
- It is not a true deer, but rather its family is closely related to Bovidae, the group that contains antelopes, bovines, sheep, and goats.
- Alpine musk deer are named for having an externally visible musk sac between the male testes. Its fangs grow during mating season and are used for sparring with other males.
- Habitat: It inhabits coniferous and deciduous forests in the mountain regions at elevations of 3,000–5,000 m.
- Distribution: It is mainly found in India, Nepal, Bhutan and China.
- Characteristics
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- Behavior: It is generally solitary and a crepuscular animal.
- Diet: It is a ruminant herbivore, foremost a browser and feeds mainly on forbs, grasses, moss, lichens, and shoots, leaves and twigs of shrubs.
- Threats: The main threat to the Alpine musk deer is poaching for its musk, which is used in cosmetic products.
Conservation Status of Alpine Musk Deer
- IUCN Red List: Endangered
- CITES: Appendix I
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
Source: NIE
Last updated on Nov, 2026
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