Moschidae

E43394

Moschidae is a family of small, deer-like mammals known as musk deer, characterized by the absence of antlers and the presence of elongated upper canines in males.


Statements (46)
Predicate Object
instanceOf mammal family
taxonomic family
activityPattern mainly crepuscular or nocturnal
bodySize small to medium-sized ungulates
characterizedBy absence of antlers
presence of elongated upper canines in males
class Mammalia
coat usually brown or grayish fur
commonName musk deer
conservationStatusTrend many species threatened by overhunting for musk
describedAs small deer-like mammals
diet herbivorous
distinguishedFrom true deer by lack of antlers
true deer by prominent upper canines in males
ecologicalRole browser on leaves and shrubs
fossilRecord known from Miocene and later deposits
habitat alpine scrub
mountain forests
hasGland musk gland near genital region in males
hasSexualDimorphism males with elongated upper canines
hasToeNumber four main toes on each foot
hasTypeSpecies Moschus moschiferus
includesGenus Moschus
infraorder Pecora
kingdom Animalia
lacksTrait antlers in both sexes
locomotion unguligrade
muskProducedBy musk gland in males
nativeTo Asia
East Asia
Himalayas
Siberia
order Artiodactyla
phylum Chordata
recognizedBy modern mammalogy and taxonomy
relatedTo Bovidae
Cervidae
reproduction viviparous
reproductiveStrategy typically single offspring per birth
ruminantStomach multi-chambered stomach
socialStructure generally solitary
suborder Ruminantia
taxonRank family
threats habitat loss
illegal hunting for musk
uses source of musk

Referenced by (4)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Moschus
Siberian musk deer
family
Artiodactyla
Ruminantia
includesTaxon

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