Barking Deer or Muntjack,
(Muntiacus muntjak malabaricus) is
another mammal species found in Sri Lanka. In Sinhala they are called Olu Muwa
or Welimuwa. The name barking deer drives due to the bark-like sound that it
makes as an alarm when danger is present. Male Muntjacks have antlers that are
very short, about 1-2 inches, usually consisting of only two or three points at
the most and protrude from long body hair covered pedicels on the forehead.
Females have tufts of fur and small bony knobs where the antlers are located in
males. This species is omnivorous,
feeding on grass,fruits, shoots,
seeds, birds' eggs as well as small animals.
This photo was taken at
Wilpattu National Park.
