Muntjac are the oldest but possibly the least studied and understood of all known deer species, prehistoric in origin with remains dated between 15 and 35 million years.
Muntjac buck called in by Author for photography
The population now found in most of southern England is the Reeves’ Muntjac (muntiacus reevesi) named after John Reeves, who was an inspector with The East India Tea Company in 1812. Introduction to England by the Duke of Bedford about 1900 is widely accepted as the source of our population.
Through a series of escapes and deliberate releases, together with their prodigious breeding, high numbers of Muntjac pose a serious threat to woodland management; eating almost any plant material that grows within their browse line which in turn impacts upon the natural habitat of many species of plants, insects and small birds. However, agricultural and forestry damage is less than with the other much larger species of antlered deer.
I stopped to look at what I thought was a roadkill Muntjac on the road across the Blackdown Hills (Somerset) between Wellington and Corfe. Turned out to be just the skin! Very professionally skinned, too. I have seen several Muntjac up on the Blackdowns, as well as their hootprints and droppings.
I have a regular visit from a female muntjac in my garden here in Buckinghamshire. She has becaome very tame to the extent she will wait outside my kitchen window for me to take her some food out, mainly wildfowl food whcih I feed my two pet ducks on.The ducks do not take any notice of her and vise versa. It hs taken some patience to get her to this stage of confidence, but it can be achieved. The main thing is to take it slowly, no sudden movements or noises, be patient and you could achieve this as well. the nearest I have been to her is about 8 feet, keeping myself almost motionless
Peter
MUNTJAC need to be exterminated from this rich, diverse island as MUNTJAC are an alien species. Many fools like you people want to belive that MUNTJAC are a cute, harmless animal that deserves rights and should live here when the truth is that they destroy our native habitat, ruin bird nesting and feeding habitats and breed like mad. I feel that MUNTJAC should be eradicated from this country to save our habitats and to give our native Roe deer a chance and that people should do all they can to get rid of this burden!
hi …muntjac fans..have just had a muntjac in the garden..really happy about that..we have a wood at the back..so am now off to put water and a salt rock for it..and a few of the squirrels monkey nuts..
I have just visited this site trying to get more info on this lovely little deer as we seem to have a male living close by who regularly visits my garden and my adjoining neighbours garden. We all love seeing him although he does terrify my cat, chasing her off if she gets too close! (chased out of her own garden!) I hope he continues to visit, I don’t even mind that he has eaten the tops off of all my flowers! I’d always rather have beautiful wildlife in my garden than replaceable plants and flowers.
I live in rural Warwickshire by the way, seeing Muntjacs around here is very, very common.
I think the deer type thing is cool
we were thrilled to see a beautiful muntjac outside our home today in Burton-on-Trent, we startled it, it dashed around a bit then hopped over the fence back into the field, i hope to see it again some day, a real treat.
Just had our first visit ( that we know of) by 2 muntjacs in our garden in Kidderminster. Absolutely beautiful.It felt like a very surreal scene from Narnia! Unfortunately our puss Toots is now patrolling her patch. Hope they visit again!
Had a muntjac deer in our back garden for the last couple of weeks in darwen lancashire
I briefly saw a Muntjac about 9.30 pm on Monday in the Meridian Business Park, south west Leicester, on a grass verge next to a fairly busy road. I thought it was a young fox until I saw the rear legs and tail and as soon as it saw me it disappeared into bushes. Prior to this sighting I didn’t even know they were common in England.
Much more common than most people believe
Was surprised earlier this week by a muntjac running down the road in Mistley, Essex. After having a swim in the fountain it got stuck in the iron railings as it tried to exit. After much wriggling its back leg became firmly trapped -’ woven’ through the railing posts. The screams were heart rending but local residents came to help – wrapping the head and upper body in towels with lots of re-assurrance whilst another bent the railings with a crowbar to gently relase the leg. There did not appear to be serious injury and the deer gradually relaxed – it was tranported by car to the local environmental centre for a thorough check over. I’m hopeful all ended well and I feel privilegdged to have been able to get so close to this beautiful breature.
Spotted a muntjac this morning on my way to work. It was 9:15am and I had just entered the Rickmansworth Aquadrome area near Stokers lake. Walk this way to work daily now as I get to see new things that make me glad to be in able. I used to drive to work and miss the glorious nature. A little added time onto my journey I believe will add a bit more added time onto my life and I get see something different every day, be it a rainbow in the downpour or a thrush plumping its feathers. It’s all good.
Broxbourne woods have a large number of these deers. One ran under my van a few weeks ago,causing me great sorry for it’s death.
Barry
Spotted a Muntjac this morning at around 6.00am in my back garden in Lincoln. Can’t think where it came from. After clocking me It appeared to panick slightly and ran backwards and forwards against my 5ft back wall before eventually hopping over into the grden at the rear. It did take a minute to have a good look at me before making the leap over the wall. Really was a fabulous sight. I live in the southern quarter of the City and was totally surprised to see this little chap this morning.
Interested to read so many comments supporting this tiresome little animal. I’m sorry about that, but the damage muntjac do, regardless of site, is incalculable. In our three counties of Berks, Bucks and Oxon they have been responsible for serious damage in
particular to Orchid spp, eating the flowers and thereby reducing the reproduction potential. In my own patch near Harefield [Middx] their gnawing of young shoots on newly coppiced hazel and ash has in some cases caused the stools to die out, thereby
losing the mosses, fungi and invertebrates thet rely on this resource.
If you find a muntjac in a confined space in your garden -eg down behind a shed or poultry run, leave it to find its own way out or take the risk of a panic-stricken animal
going quite crazy and -in the case of a buck, using teeth, antlers and razor-sharp hooves to get away.
Like the grey squirrel, fat dormouse, mink and Canada goose, this is just another animal that our Victorian ancestors visited upon us. There are countless other cases,
foxes in Australia, Australian ‘possums in New Zealand, Japanese knotweed. In truth,
we know not what we do a lot of the time! Very flawed, the human animal! DWO
I am in complete agreement with you. I work in wildlife conservation and, though the muntjac is a beautiful animal, it does not belong in the British ecosystem and is damaging other species.
Saw a doe walking across our garden about 1pm today, haven’t got a clue where it came from. I guess she is not alone and a herd near by ?
Very cute looking, hoe it stops by again !
JP
Recently, my wife and I have seen a muntjac in our garden here in rural West Norfolk. As our garden seems to be developing to be a safe haven for pheasants, green pigeons and the dreaded rabbits (from the shooting around us in the adjacent fields and other properties) we suddenly saw a pair this morning right up against the house. Must say it was terribly exciting and surprising especially so when we have just been to the huge Imfolosi game park in South Africa! Seeing Muntjacs up close and personal! Wow, what a treat!!…….. although I now know why my Rose shrubs have been so savagely bitten off!
Lucky people.
A pair seem to have taken up residence in the trees surrounding the house. They are out early morning and late evening grazing on the fringes of the lawn. Kids are amazed, they are beautiful. Pitsford, Northants
Yesterday we were excited to see a Muntjac deer in our garden, it was sheltering from the rain under my daughters trampoline!! We live in a fairly rural area with woods nearby (but it would have had to cross a main road to get here). It now seems to have taken up residence there and it looks like it may have built a “nest”? I am just wondering if I should let it stay there or is moving it on would be better?
To shoo it into a passing car is a possibility. Maybe best to let nature take it’s course ?
Seen two muntjacs grazing in the farmers field opposite my house for the last two evenings. Derbyshire
seen 4 at centreparcs elverdon forest bless and came to find food near our villa
Just seen a pair together in a quiet road in Stanmore, London – what a treat!!
We have a muntjac deer living in our rural garden, is it safe here or should we call someone to take it and release it somewhere else?
What a treat ! There are probably others and if it got in it should be able to get out by itself
Eleanor, if it got into your garden it will certainly be able to find its own way out again. As muntjac are an alien species it would be illegal to release it into the wild following capture, other than in very exceptional circumstance – licenced etc. Enjoy the sight and leave it be.
I saw a Muntjac in my garden yesteday at around 11am but I live in Oadby, Leicester where could it possibly be living? we do have large gardens & could there be more than 1? I am so excited I just want to see more (I did manage to take a photo)
HI,
I often used to see deer on Leicestershire Gold Course and I assume they are living in the large copse and woodland that runs up to where the old Farm Park used to be, if yuo live at the Evington side of Oadby that may be where they are from
Hi My name is Josh I am 10 years old last year my mum and dad took on a allotment garden in Oxford we work hard in getting our allotment sorted. last year we lost cabbages, marrows, broad beams and peas to pests I did see deer around but didn’t realise how many until last Tuesday evening 10-04-12 when I walked over to the east side of the allotments to investigate what I thought was a fox. I looked closer and saw 5 muntjac deer eating veg off someone’s plot when they got spooked they jumped over 4ft high chicken wire fences one after another then ran into brambles. I don’t feel lucky these animals are a pest what can we do about it? My dad has friends willing to come and shoot them is this the best thing to do? There is a big fence all the way around the allotment gardens could they have got trapped inside or could they be going round all the allotment gardens in Oxford?
Josh Driving them out and blocking the holes in the outer fence would be the kindest thing .Shooting in and around Oxford sounds illegal?
I think we have a doe living in our garden. The garden is in a South Leicestershire village and has areas resembling a thicket. I didn’t consider it athicket until I saw the doe run to it when startled. I have now seen it dawn and dusk, so now think it is living here. I thought how wonderful to have such wildlife in my garden until I have now discovered how destructive they can be. Although I don’t have beds and borders I do have a lot of shrubs and lawn. Perhaps it will help me keep the brambles down. Hopefully we can coexist.
We have several muntjac deer that wander
through our garden regularly. They are such
Gentle looking creatures, it makes our morning
When we pull back the curtains and see them.
Can’t believe some people on here wanting to
Hurt them or discourage them from land.
Enough are killed on our roads, we don’t need
to cull these beautiful animals, you should consider
Yourselves lucky to be in such close contact..
Victoria How fortunate you are . The population dynamics involved mean that reproduction is far exceeding the losses in traffic .Where numbers are high the flora at browse level can suffer almost total destruction . This in turn impacts upon insect and bird populations so with no large native cats around numbers must be managed if we want to enjoy a variety of wildlife
Just caught sight of a deer grazing in my front garden at Hickling in Norfolk. Was it really eating mixed bird seed?
Hi.
Can you tell me why muntjac’s always seem to be alone? We see one quite often out on our walk at walkfarm just outside Stamford Lincs. Also I have seen them (alone again) in Wothorpe Woods, near Stamford.
Dogs sometimes have a good chase after them but they usually lose the scent.
Do Muntjac’s have any enemies that could kill them?
thanks
Jodi
Jodi There are always others nearby . Dogs are probably their biggest enemies catching and killing fawns easily
I am so pleased I have seen the pictures of the Muntjac. I have never seen any and had no idea what it was like??? At least when someones mentions them again I know all about them now, educated!!!!
One seen in our garden this morning, didn’t seem put off by me
looking at him through the window, he stayed for a good 20 mins.
We have been visited so often at about 1800 of late March) that I think it must have a “nest” in the garden. It isn’t fazed by being “stalked” by a young tabby kitten. We live about 3/4 mile from the Thetford Forest and it has to cross several roads and find the gap under the hedge to get in.
one seen yesterday in middle of day near railway line in north watford
Great to hear they are getting everywhere!
I was driving home across Cheltenham about 10pm this evening and one ran across the road in front of us by the tennis club. At first I thought it was a fox. I rammed on the brakes to avoid it. Then I turned the car round to get a better look. It was clearly not a fox but a Muntjac deer and it ran through the hedge in to the tennis club grounds.
I often see deer up near us but we are on the edge of town close to open countryside. Bit of a shock to see it so close to the town centre!
On the way home from visiting my husbands parents, we had just turned off the Tring roundabout and going along the Icknield road when a muntjack deer ran out in front of the car. I was driving and i just saw the deer out of the corner of my eye. I braked hard but i could do nothing to avoid the deer. It hit the side of my car with a sickening thud. When i looked to see if it was ok, there was blood in it’s eye but it’s head was up and moving around. After a while it got up, wandered across the road (luckly no other cars came along) it was holding up one leg but it managed to go back into the wood. Will it be ok or will nature take it’s course? Should i have called someone?
How upsetting for you ! I am not a vet but think that nature would have taken its course very quickly with the head injury. In daylight maybe a call to the local police for advise ? All very difficult at night
I was particularly interested in this report as I spent the first 27 years of my life in Tring. Now, this morning, in my garden in Gloucestershire, I saw a muntjac deer lying calmly for about ten or 15 minutes. When it stood up I saw that its right foreleg was twisted at an angle, as though it had at some time been fractured. But it did not seem bothered by it, and eventually made off into the neighbouring garden, after nibbling some undergrowth and hedge shoots.
Often see many muntjac along epping high road. Occasionally half a dozen or more. Dont seem to be phased by the traffic!
Sounds like a pending traffic hazard . May be worth a call to the local council ref warnings signs for drivers and or some fencing for the deer ?
hi ive just had an encounter with a muntjack in habberley valley in kidderminster. at first i thought it was a dog as i was driving down the track, the deer ran and got it self caught in a steel wire square fence. it was well and tuely tangled up and bleeding, i took some pliers from the van and cut the wire to free it. i was quite scarred as when i approached it it let out a really loud cry like it was being murdured! i could see 2 large backward pointing teeth(i think thats what they were)i dont know who was more frightened me or the deer! a couple of snips throught the wire and it was off like a shot, i feel lucky to have seen this as i walk my dog here nearly every day and its only the second time of seen one
Well done you .Your good deed for the day . They are tough animals , old bucks carry lots or scars from fighting and their skin is very thick esp neck and shoulders .
I saw a muntjac tonight. Just before 8pm. Riding up Brick Kiln lane towards the racecourse the deer crossed the road infront of me and headed into St Georges Hall car park.
I witnessed a muntjac crossing a main arterial road, very close to Leicester City centre in the early hours of the morning. I was able to stop and observe it for a minute and, although I am no animal behaviourist, it did appear a little dazed and confused to me.
Are muntjac known to colonise towns and cities, or was this more likely to be an escaped pet?
There are sightings recorded in most towns and cities in the southern half of England . I heard one barking from a dense garden shrubbery in Northampton back in 94 and had one in my garden in Raunds in 82 .They colonise brambles and I suspect gain access to inner cities by following the railways G
We’ve just discovered a muntjac here on the banks of the canal in Bethnal Green – east London! They’re coming to town!
What good news suspect creeping in via brambles along railways ?
Whats the law on shooting Muntjac? I have two that jump a six foot fence, and have eaten most of the plants, in the garden.
Robin
Sorry Robin I am not the person to consult on the law suggest BASC ? suggest you make the fence higher G
Saw a young (spotted fawn) Muntjac last week (9/7/2011), in the Countesswells area of Aberdeen. Between the size of a large rabbit and a small hare. Was about to pass in front of the car, but very streetwise!
I just saw a muntjac whilst cycling in Overseal, Derbyshire. I was on the cycle path near Conkers. Fabulous! How sad that Margaret would consider ‘getting the hunters in’, I agree with Gerald… It is a privilege!!!
Trying to get research on the muntjac deer, because I am going to articulate one for a friend, the little information I can fine, people refer to their “horns” and “antlers”. Are these horned or antlered animals? If antlered, are these shed yearly or do they grow continually throughout the animals life, as in cows and goats?
Is there a good reference you can refer me to?
Muntjac bucks have antlers and they normally cast or fall off annually try the book by Charles smith jones mentioned on my website
I have seen a muntjac in my large suburban garden for the first time this morning. Should I call in the hunters? If so, how do I go about it?
Lucky Lady. Unless it is causing lots of damage what a privilege Hunters and suburbia don’t usually go well together ! If a real problem I think there are people who will catch Munjac but there is aways the possibility with females that a dependent fawn would be left . Perhaps fencing is the answer ?
Are there any Muntjac deer in Scotland and have there been any verifiable sightings of them?? If so where, and what is the estimated population?
As far as I know there are no Muntjac in Scotland
Do Muntjack deer have top and bottom incisors, or do they have a rasping pad?
Yes, Muntjac are like other deer and have no upper incisors
Hi Last night at 9-15 pm i felt so privileged to see my first Muntjac Deer, we where just leaving my sisters house in Trentham Staffordshire Stoke-on-Trent, it was a healthy female and was feeding on the edge of the lawn and Herbaceous boarder iv heard of them being seen in Cannock but never seen one, i wondered if there have been any other siteings in Stoke -on-Trent, we E.mailed the Trentham estate at Trentham gardens to see if there had been any other reported sightings, a truly greatful wildlife lover,