Elaphodus – Tufted deer

A small, shy, and unusual-looking deer species found in the forested mountains of central and southern China and northeastern Myanmar. What makes this deer instantly recognizable is the dark, fluffy tuft of hair on its forehead, which gives the species its name. This thick, mohawk-like patch of fur sticks up between the ears and gives the tufted deer a comically serious expression.

But perhaps even more surprising are the long, fang-like upper canine teeth found in males. These curved “fangs” can grow up to 2.5 inches (6 cm) long and are used not for eating, but for fighting rivals during the mating season. It’s a strange sight — a gentle-looking deer with vampire-like tusks — and it’s one of the things that makes the tufted deer stand out from all other deer species.

Tufted deer are relatively small and compact. Their fur is thick, woolly, and dark brown, helping them stay warm in the chilly, misty mountain forests where they live. These deer are solitary or sometimes found in pairs, and they are extremely shy and elusive, quickly disappearing into the underbrush at the slightest sign of danger. Because they live in such remote and hard-to-reach habitats, they are rarely seen in the wild, making them somewhat mysterious animals to researchers and nature lovers alike.

In terms of behavior, tufted deer are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the early morning and late evening hours. Their diet consists mainly of leaves, twigs, fruits, and other soft vegetation. They are quiet and cautious feeders, relying on their excellent hearing and camouflage to avoid predators like leopards, dholes (wild dogs), and humans.