Hamster Sized Deer Threatened by Deforestation

originally posted by: MadHatter364
a reply to: g146541

No antlers, how do the males behave during rutting season?

Based on their dimensions I'd say they sit at a table and talk it out.

Actually they get their cousins, the Jack-a-lopes, to fight it out for them.

Okay, that is officially the cutest thing I've seen in quite awhile. I vaguely recall hearing about these being found, years back in Cambodia or Laos..but they are just adorable.

This tiny baby Mouse Deer was born on Valentines Day at the Berlin Zoo. It fits perfectly into a man's hand. These shy animals are actually are the smallest hoofed mammals in the world, and are members of the animal family that includes pigs, antelopes, sheep, goats, and hippos! This baby will grow to a maximum weight of only about 5 pounds (2.5 kg) in adulthood, and its legs will be no bigger than the circumference of a pencil!

Source

Kind of a critter out of time or something for being so unique that way. At least I'd think so.. Nature is full of wonders.

originally posted by: Wrabbit2000
Okay, that is officially the cutest thing I've seen in quite awhile. I vaguely recall hearing about these being found, years back in Cambodia or Laos..but they are just adorable.

This tiny baby Mouse Deer was born on Valentines Day at the Berlin Zoo. It fits perfectly into a man's hand. These shy animals are actually are the smallest hoofed mammals in the world, and are members of the animal family that includes pigs, antelopes, sheep, goats, and hippos! This baby will grow to a maximum weight of only about 5 pounds (2.5 kg) in adulthood, and its legs will be no bigger than the circumference of a pencil!

Source

Kind of a critter out of time or something for being so unique that way. At least I'd think so.. Nature is full of wonders.

I guess they evolved because they were trapped in a natural valley. With restricted food resources, they would have become smaller over time as mammals and humans do (like those small human skeletons found on an island). If the ground was flat, there would be no need for large strong legs, so those get smaller too.

a reply to: Quadrivium

A deer mouse is a mouse and does not have deer feet.
www.nsrl.ttu.edu...

So I guess this is mouse-deer which I also have never heard of before. I find it strange that I have not heard of it!

en.wikipedia.org...

Hurry it is alive let's eat it.

I am a little bit shocked by the number of comments that I suppose were meant to be sarcastic or funny. There really is nothing funny about endangered species. Perhaps some constructive, informative, speculative, and realistic comments would be more appropriate when discussing tragedies? I am not trying to insult, provoke, or troll. I am just disappointed by the lack of substance in what could be a serious thread.

GAH. Thanks, Quadrivium. My youngest's birthday is coming up and guess what's now on her birthday wish list?

Sigh.

a reply to: Quadrivium
they look very fragile. in away im kind of surprised they've
survived this long. have images of them breaking as they try to
run from predators.

definitely something worth trying to keep around.

originally posted by: Quadrivium
I have never heard of or seen these before but when I ran across the article I figured some of y'all might be interested.
These deer fully grown only weigh about two pounds.

The baby "deer-mouse" became just the 43rd living member of this species in Europewhen it was born on April 9 in the Fuengirola Biopark near Malaga.Originating in southeastern Asia, the deer is so called because its tiny dimensions and big eyes make it look more like a rodent, despite its tiny hooves.At birth the baby — which has not yet been named because it is still too small to determine its sex — weighed about 100 grams (nearly four ounces).

The survival of the species, known by scientists as "tragulus javanicus," is threatened by deforestation in its native southeast Asia, the park said.

www.globalpost.com...

I can not get over how small these deer are. It would be ashame to lose them.
(If someone could post a pic or two I would greatly appreciate it. I am on my samsung phone and can't upload pics to ats. Thanks)
Quad

I don't think its accurate to call them "deer", they are some sort of mice-related animals I think, but they sure are cute little mother#ers.

I can just imagine them frolicking across a tiny, pocket sized meadow in a tiny, pocket sized Disney-film.

Sometimes fiction really is cuter than reality. Well, most of the time actually, but I think my point still stands.

originally posted by: Subnatural

originally posted by: Quadrivium
I have never heard of or seen these before but when I ran across the article I figured some of y'all might be interested.
These deer fully grown only weigh about two pounds.

The baby "deer-mouse" became just the 43rd living member of this species in Europewhen it was born on April 9 in the Fuengirola Biopark near Malaga.Originating in southeastern Asia, the deer is so called because its tiny dimensions and big eyes make it look more like a rodent, despite its tiny hooves.At birth the baby — which has not yet been named because it is still too small to determine its sex — weighed about 100 grams (nearly four ounces).

The survival of the species, known by scientists as "tragulus javanicus," is threatened by deforestation in its native southeast Asia, the park said.

www.globalpost.com...

I can not get over how small these deer are. It would be ashame to lose them.
(If someone could post a pic or two I would greatly appreciate it. I am on my samsung phone and can't upload pics to ats. Thanks)
Quad

I don't think its accurate to call them "deer", they are some sort of mice-related animals I think, but they sure are cute little mother#ers.

I can just imagine them frolicking across a tiny, pocket sized meadow in a tiny, pocket sized Disney-film.

Sometimes fiction really is cuter than reality. Well, most of the time actually, but I think my point still stands.

You are right, they are not A-typical deer. But they are closer to deer than they are to mice. I believe I read that they have more in common with pigs actually.
It would seem that I would have noticed these before but last night I stubled on the while researching a darker thread I was working on.
To say the least, seeing these little guys helped lift my spirits!
Quad

originally posted by: WhiteAlice
GAH. Thanks, Quadrivium. My youngest's birthday is coming up and guess what's now on her birthday wish list?

Sigh.

As I was reading up on them I found that some people actually do keep these as pets. Then some People hunt and eat them.
I think there are currently five different species? They have found up to 10 species but if I recall, five of those wer from the fossil records.

originally posted by: DietJoke
a reply to: Quadrivium

Wow!

Omg if I showed my daughter that she will think its a Deerling and beg me for one.



Did I call that or what?

Her response: "Oh daddy, he's so cute! Can I have him? I won't ask for a snake anymore.

Haha.....she's 5.

a reply to: Rosinitiate
It would seem that it has been a day of discovery here on ATS (for me anyway).
In the last 24 hours I have found out that there is a pint sized deer I have never heard of.........
And now a cartoon that looks eerily similar to them. I have never heard of a "deerling" but they do look a lot like the Mouse Deer.
So will she be getting her new pet for Christmas or her Birthday? Lol

any relation to the Musk Deer ?



As I notice it has Fangs ? a Musk Deer Trait

Tho the Musk Deer Looks like a Deer that got raped by a Kangaroo in All Seriousness

The Head and Ears and Fur & Long Fangs? of a Roo the Legs & Hoofs of a Dear

A Roo With Fangs!! > >?



Watch the Video you may find it interesting and does goes along with the topic here
look out for the Mouse Deer aka Chevrotain Mouse Deer

I want one of these with a little leash and a hat... I'd make little deer sweaters and all. The woman would love it.

Oh, those are so cute! I hope the species can be saved and not go extinct.

www.bioparcfuengirola.es...

I actually went here when I was on holiday last year. If you get the chance to go, you should. A very interesting place. I remember seeing the adults, but no babies.

originally posted by: DietJoke
a reply to: Quadrivium

Wow!

I found a short legged version of one of those on Mars not long ago. It eats rocks (and spits out the sediment).

a reply to: horseatemymoney
Thanks for the link.
I would love to go but I do not forsee that happening anytime in the near future.
I live in the US and currently have a job. They are scarce around this part of the world.......perhaps American jobs should be added to the endangered species list?
I am afraid as close as I will get is the link you provided. Thanks for sharing and giving me a little escape!

Hi, I live in the UK, so getting to Spain is really cheap. It costs less per day than most UK based holidays. But just keep playing the Lotto, and keep your fingers crossed. reply to: Quadrivium