Creature Feature #486: Musk Deer

Musk Deer are more primitive than true Cervids. Instead of antlers, the males bear elongated canine teeth. These are used in fights with other males over females and territories. To attract these females, the males produce musk from a special gland. Alas, this also attracts the attentions of hunters; it can fetch over $40,000 per kg on the black market and is allegedly an aphrodisiac. Each gland only provides a few 10s of grams and although the gland can be extracted without killing the deer, this rarely happens. The female gives birth to a single tiny fawn, who spends his first few months motionless and hiding.

This is a Siberian Musk Deer. Vulnerable due to the aforementioned hunting for the male's musk glands.