Animals

Tiny ‘mouse deer’ the size of a rat born at UK zoo


The Javan Chevrotain mouse deer was born at Marwell Zoo (Picture: PA)

One of the smallest hoofed animals in the world has been born at a Hampshire zoo.

The rare ‘mouse deer’, found in the wild in Indonesia, arrived to parents Gus and Gwen in the last month, weighing a tiny 13oz (370g) or so – roughly the weight of a rat.

Pictures show the adorable fluff ball sitting contentedly on the ground, with its large eyes looking directly at camera.

Keepers say the calf, born at Marwell Zoo, near Winchester, is being hidden away by its mum at the zoo’s Energy For Life: Tropical House, but is doing well. They branded the birth ‘great news’ for the conservation of the secretive nocturnal creatures. 

The arrival of the Javan chevrotain mouse deer is the latest newborn at the zoo, which has lost more than £4 million in revenue because of the coronavirus crisis.

The name of the new arrival is yet to be revealed and the zoo did not immediately reveal if it was a male or female and exactly when it arrived.

But Tim Rowlands, Marwell’s hoofstock team leader, explained: ‘There are very few zoos who care for any of the mouse deer species as they are so small in size, very secretive, and nocturnal, so any youngster born is great news for the conservation breeding programme.

The tiny creature’s name has not yet been revealed but it is said to be doing well (Picture: PA)
Mouse deers are one of the smallest hoofed animals in the world (Picture: PA)

‘It’s vitally important that we work to ensure these wonderful animals do not disappear for good.’

The species is found on Java in Indonesia and is hunted and traded for wild meat and as pets.

When born, the young are the size of a rat and can run and jump soon after birth. They suckle only occasionally, and only at night.

Mr Rowlands continued: ‘We separated the male and female two weeks before she gave birth so she would not be disturbed, even by him, mimicking the natural behaviour of the female taking herself away to find a quiet and secure spot to give birth in the wild.

‘All deer species will hide their young until they are older so they will only really come out to feed, then hide again.’

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