The Common muntjac, also called Indian muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) is the most numerous muntjac species. It has soft, short, brownish or greyish hair, sometimes with creamy markings. This species is omnivorous, feeding on fruits, shoots, seeds, birds' eggs as well as small animals and even carrion. It gives calls similar to barking, usually on sensing a predator (hence the common name for all muntjacs of barking deer).
The male Indian muntjac has small antlers which attain 15 cm in length and have only 1 branch. They grow anually from a bony stalk on the head. Males are extremely territorial and can be fierce for their size. During the rut they will fight each other using their antlers or their (more dangerous) tusk-like upper canine teeth, and can defend themselves against predators such as dogs.
Subspecies
There are 15 subspecies:
- Muntiacus muntjak annamensis, Indochina
- Muntiacus muntjak aureus, peninsular India
- Muntiacus muntjak bancanus, Billiton and Banka Islands
- Muntiacus muntjak curvostylis, Thailand
- Muntiacus muntjak grandicornis -- Burmese Muntjac, Myanmar
- Muntiacus muntjak malabaricus, South India and Sri Lanka
- Muntiacus muntjak montanus -- Mountain Muntjac, Sumatra
- Muntiacus muntjak muntjak -- Javan Muntjac, Java and south Sumatra
- Muntiacus muntjak nainggolani, Bali and Lombok Islands
- Muntiacus muntjak nigripes -- Black-footed or Black-legged Muntjac, Vietnam and Hainan Island
- Muntiacus muntjak peninsulae, Malaysia
- Muntiacus muntjak pleicharicus, South Borneo
- Muntiacus muntjak robinsoni, Bintan Island and Linga Archipelago
- Muntiacus muntjak rubidus, North Borneo
- Muntiacus muntjak vaginalis, Myanmar to southwest China
