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This common but elusive species is endemic to Sri Lanka. Despite them being commonly referred to as Mouse Deer they do not belong to the deer family and in anatomical terms stands between deer and pig families.

The conservation status of this species is regarded as “Least Concerned” (National Red List 2012) and it is protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as amended by Act No. 22 of 2009.

On the 4th of February 2019 I observed a Goshawk with some prey on the road at Maha Wewa. The accipiter was holding the prey with its claws but flew off upon our vehicle coming in to view. Upon closer examination I observed a dazed tiny mouse Deer with sand covered eyes. In less than a minute the tiny animal ran into the forest.

While the above species is only found in the Dry Zone jungles, the Yellow- striped Chevrotain Moshiola kathygre, which is also an endemic is found throughout the wet zone including some wetlands around Colombo towards Katagamuwa in the Kataragama area bordering the Dry Zone. In the hills I have observed the west zone species to be moderately plentiful in the lower regions of the Knuckles Forest Reserve up to an altitude of about 1400 meters and at the Keleniwally Forest Reserve in Kitulgala. A third species of Mousedeer occurs in the highest mountain ranges in the country such as the Horton Plains.

These dainty little creatures subsist mainly on grasses, leaves and fallen fruits but is known to feed on insects, such as winged termites when the opportunity presents itself. They will usually produce one tiny calf per litter but twins have also been recorded.

Other than in Wilpattu I have seen the aforesaid dry zone species at Udawalawa National Park, Sigiriya, Pigurangala, Aralaganwila, Wellawaya, and Tangalle. Even though it is a common species it is seldom seen during the day, as it is mostly crepuscular and nocturnal. However once during mid day I observed a dominant male of this species chase off an intruding male at Pidurangala. I was concealed inside a “hide”, close to a small pool of water at the edge of the forest, expecting to photograph an Orange-headed Ground Thrush. All at once some animal running on the dry leaves of the forest floor disturbed the stillness and the calm that prevailed. It was a terrified Mouse Deer that came speeding through the jungle pursued by another, and stopped momentarily a few feet to the right of my hide and continued to run across a small foot path to the forest on the opposite side. Having chased off the intruder the dominant male slowly walked back into the forest permitting me to take a few prized shots.

I once observed a carcass of one of these animals in Hambantota run over by a vehicle. Its canine teeth were longer and well developed than the rest of its teeth resembling those of the Barking Deer.

This is a regular visitor to my garden in Wilpattu to feed on the fallen jam fruits from the many trees I have grown to attract birds. I have seen this species on a few occasions in the well-wooded areas at Kombansanchi Pooval, Thambi Oluwa, Kokkare Villu uda para, Panikkar Villu and close to Mila Wewa. However on the 22nd of September 2013 I came upon one individual at Panikkar Villu out in the open around 11.30am. After some time it moved slowly into the forest permitting me to get some very rare photos of this generally nocturnal and elusive animal. This sighting in an open grass field by the side of the road in broad daylight was most unusual for this species.