The social behaviour of captive muntjacs Muntiacus reevesi (Ogilby 1839)

The social behaviour of 8 captive muntjacs was studied from May to October 1970 and 1971. In 1970 close range observation and photography resulted in a descriptive account of the animal's social behaviour patterns. In 1971, 450 h of observation of undisturbed muntjacs living in a 2200 m2 enclosure were devoted to a quantitative study of social interactions. It was found that the social relationships of muntjacs are complex and subtale, maybe more than one might expect from a solitary and primitive mammal. Because of the animal's similarities with the ancestors of the Artiodactyls, a knowledge of the muntjac's social behaviour is essential for a proper understanding of the evolution and social behaviour of the order.