Deer species possess scary faces like alien monsters

Deer are often associated with the image of cute animals, however, there is a species of deer that possesses a scary face like an alien monster in science fiction movies.

That's what people say about the Chinese muntjac (also known as the Reeves muntjac, Chinese muntjac). This is a muntjac (also known as the deer, a member of the deer family) native to southeastern China and Taiwan.

There are two scent glands on the face of this muntjac , one located in front of the eyes and the other on the forehead. Although the Chinese muntjac is not the only mammal to possess scent glands, it uses them more frequently than other animals.

When at rest, the scent glands on the face of the Chinese muntjac are closed and appear as nothing more than folds in their skin. However, when the muntjac decides to start marking its territory or attracting a mate, it will expand its scent glands on its face to emit scent or rub against the areas it wants to mark.

The scent glands on the Chinese gills' faces close when at rest and appear as folds in the skin (Photo: IFL).

The scent glands on the face of the Chinese mange will also expand when they feel excited, such as when confronted with a potential mate or when being fed, as shown in the viral clip above.

Male Chinese muntjacs use their facial scent glands more frequently than females, usually for mating purposes. The facial musculature of the Chinese muntjac allows them to expand both facial scent glands at the same time. Additionally, when the Chinese muntjac chews its food, the facial scent glands can open and close continuously.

The Chinese muntjac is quite small, about 0.5 meters tall and one meter long. Adult Chinese muntjacs can weigh between 10 and 18 kilograms. Male Chinese muntjacs have short horns about 10 centimeters long and upper canines, while females have no horns. Males use their horns and canines to attack each other when competing for territory or mates.

The Chinese muntjac feeds on flowers, mushrooms, berries, grasses, nuts, some leaves, and bark. It is also called the barking deer because of its distinctive barking sound, which resembles that of a dog. It usually makes this call during mating or when provoked.

Chinese muntjacs are solitary animals, with males and females marking their territories with scent glands on their faces.