Musk Deer

Scientific Name: Muschus moschiferus

Subspecies: A total of 5 subspecies have been described, but due to uncertainty of their individual status, we do not include them here.

Distribution: From eastern- and central Siberia to Mongolia, eastern- and central China, Tibet, the Himalaya mountains to northern Myanmar and Assam, (Thailand, Vietnam).

Habitat: Sub-alpine regions in mountainous forests.

Description: Medium sized deer weighing up to 17 kg. It measures up to 65 cm over the shoulder and reaches a total body length of 1,10 m without tail (5 cm). General colour greyish brown. The male has protruding upper canines reaching a max. length of 12 cm. The adult male has a 5 cm long, hairy sexual gland that may contain up to 30 gram of the precious musk, for which the animal is still ruthlessly hunted.

Hunting method: Stalking, lying in wait, with specially trained Laika-dogs. The natives use traps and snares.

Hunting available in: Russia. Cites classification: A.