Rainforest Animals - Lesser Malay Chevrotain

Lesser Malay Chevrotain: Tragus javanicus - S. Asia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo

Standing only about 12 inches high at the shoulder, the chevrotain or mouse-deer is one of the smallest of all hoofed animals. Moving on pencil-thin legs, this little animal is a timid forest-dweller, feeding on flowers, fruits, vegetable matter and young leaves.

There are four species in this family; three live in Asia and one in Africa. The males have long upper canine teeth which protrude like fangs below the lips. Neither sex has horns or antlers. In Malay folklore the chevrotain is credited with great cunning (for how else could they evade the many different predators who hunt they?).