The Siberian musk deer (Moschus moschiferus) is a musk deer found in the mountain forests of Northeast Asia. Its is most common in the taiga of southern Siberia, but is also found in parts of Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, Manchuria and the Korean peninsula. It is largely nocturnal, and migrates only over short distances. It prefers altitudes of more than 2600 m. Adults are small, weighing 7–17 kg.
The Siberian musk deer is classified as threatened by the IUCN. It is hunted for its musk gland, which fetches prices as high as $45,000 per kilogram. Only a few tens of grams can be extracted from an adult male. It is possible to remove the gland without killing the deer, but this is seldom done.
The most striking characteristics of the Siberian musk deer are its vampire teeth and a face like a kangaroo. Males grow the teeth for display instead of antlers.
A distinct subspecies roams the island of Sakhalin.
Famous quotes containing the word deer:
“Shall the dog lie where the deer once crouched?”
—Nell Gwynn (c. 1650–1687)