Siberian musk deer. Photo Siberian musk deer - lifestyle of the Siberian musk deer

The artiodactyl order unites a large and diverse group of mammals distributed throughout the globe, excluding Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and some isolated islands. The order is divided into 2 suborders: non-ruminants (3 families) and ruminants (5 families). Non-ruminants include pigs, peccaries, hippos - 11 species in total; to ruminants - deer, deer, giraffes, pronghorns, bovids (duikers, antelopes, musk oxen, goats, rams, buffaloes, bison, etc.) - a total of 148 species.

The artiodactylism of animals of this order lies in the fact that in most species there are four fingers on the front and hind limbs, the axis of the limbs passes between the third and fourth fingers, dividing the “foot” into two equal parts. The exception is the limbs of hippopotamuses, on which all four fingers are connected by a membrane and serve as an animal support.

Musk deer (Moschus moschiferus) is a small ruminant animal, a representative of a separate family of musk deer (Moschidae) in the order of artiodactyl mammals. Of course, a "small" musk deer is considered only in comparison with other members of its order - the body length of this animal usually ranges from 85 to 100 cm, the height at the withers is 60-65 cm, and the average weight is 12 kg. Musk deer have no horns, but adult males have long (up to 6 cm) fangs-saber, which act as a tournament weapon. In addition, males have a special gland on their belly that secretes a strong-smelling secret - musk.

Fig.1. Sakhalin musk deer

Musk deer belongs to the deer family - animals common in Europe, Asia, Africa, America and many oceanic islands. There are 32 species of them: red deer, spotted deer, reindeer, roe deer, elk and musk deer.

Distribution area

East Asia - from the northern border of the forest to South China, Burma. The musk deer also lives in the Himalayas, where the "crown" of the planet is the famous Chomolungma (Everest) - 8848 meters above sea level! But the musk deer cannot storm such skies. However, in the mountains it is found at an altitude of more than 3000 meters. A little climber climbs a little high, his weight is only 12 kilograms, and the sprout is “from a fingernail”. This is compared to other deer. At the withers, the musk deer is up to 67 centimeters, and at the sacrum up to 80 centimeters. A moose, for example, at the withers up to 230 centimeters! And in the cross! Here we will take a closer look at the external structure of the musk deer, and not the elk. The elk with the sacrum is all right. But the musk deer is the only species in the deer family that has a pronounced “difference” between the length of the hind and forelimbs. There is a musk deer, and it seems as if she is bowing, squatting at the same time. Among Siberian hunters it is known as a "flea".

Lifestyle

From a place, having tensed the muscles, the musk deer freely jumps 1.5-2 meters. When it is tracked or pursued by predators, the max of the musk deer reaches a length of 4-4.5 meters. If they press on the tail (although it is so small in the musk deer that it does not show even from the wool), then the “flea” rushes to the rocky areas. In a matter of seconds, he chooses a ledge, cornice or top, and, as they say, "freezes on the sludge." From such a pedestal, he follows the pursuer, if necessary, seizing the moment, he can change his position with lightning speed and be at a greater height, up to 3 meters from the ground level. Having promptly jumped up on a hill, the musk deer firmly rests with the hooves of all its four limbs on one “point” with a diameter of 12-15 centimeters and can hold out on such a “patch” for tens of minutes, almost without moving. The musk deer lives in dark coniferous taiga forests with rock outcrops, windbreak blockages, an abundance of deadwood, twisted roots and coastal cliffs. Usually the habitat is chosen near the reservoir. Altai, Eastern Siberia, Far East, where in some places we have a high number of musk deer, 5-10 individuals per 1000 hectares, you can walk on these hectares for years, but you won’t meet musk deer. Cautious animal, leads a secretive lifestyle. Experienced taiga dwellers know about its existence on the ground, but a stranger will not notice a musk deer. She will discover it in a moment. Somewhere from behind a mossy stump or rotten deadwood, her head will appear with rounded locator ears.

Keen eyes will quickly find the alien. Then a sharp jump to the right, to the left, something will flash before your eyes without noise and disappear. It was like a vision. But it was not a ghost, but creature, but what, only an experienced hunter or hunter can figure it out. But even their musk deer can deceive. There is a man on the trail and suddenly a dead end. Where is the musk deer? And before that, she made a 180 ° turn and went back, stepping footsteps. I walked along my own path 50-75 meters, again a sharp jump to the side and landed somewhere behind a large stone, a sprawling Christmas tree or a pile of brushwood and deadwood. A second of thought, and again "knight's move", "rook move" and you - "checkmate" in three moves. The queen is gone. It is also capable of instantly slowing down at a fast gait, sharply changing the direction of running and immediately “turning on” top speed- up to 80 kilometers per hour, however, the beast can run so fast only for a short distance.

habitats

The habitat of musk deer is usually limited to a few tens of hectares in winter, up to 100-200 hectares in summer. In the warm season, the musk deer grazes, eating mainly lichens, commonly called bearded ones. These are those that add mystery to dark coniferous forests, decorating the trunks and branches of spruces, firs, cedars and other trees. Eats musk deer and herbaceous plants, needles. In winter, it is difficult to get food, you have to rake the snow with your front feet and extract dry leaves, mushrooms, and ground lichens from under it. Deftly balancing on low inclined tree trunks, the musk deer collects something edible from the bark. Empty - and she easily jumps to the ground from a height of 1.5-2 meters. When in winter, approaching a tree, “he sees the eye, but the tooth is numb”, the musk deer makes a “candle”, stands on its hind legs, and holds its front legs in weight or rests them against the trunk. The neck is stretched to the limit, and the lips are drawn to the dainty "beard" or to the tips of edible twigs.

The head of the musk deer is small, the eyes have a kind look, the ears are long, wide with rounded tips, there are no horns. Males have developed fangs. They protrude from under the upper lip and are directed downward, their length is up to 10 centimeters. At the ends of these teeth are sharp - daggers. Females do not have such a weapon, and males use it only in mating fights, and the beast cannot defend itself from enemies with the help of fangs.

The general color of the “clothing” of the musk deer is from rusty to brown-black tones. On the back and sides it is lighter, brown-buffy or reddish-yellow spots are clearly visible. The coat consists of long, tightly fitting hairs. On winter hauls, the snow under the musk deer does not melt during its rest. The musk deer will lie down on the natural "perinka", jump up, shake off and go, wander through the forest. You have to roam carefully, there are many enemies: kharza, wolverines, lynxes, wolves, foxes, brown bears and Amur tigers, less often large raptors. Feral stray dogs are dangerous - the product of thoughtless people, their former owners. The most dangerous enemy of the musk deer in our time is the poacher.

Musk deer is a hunting animal. Its production is regulated by the issuance of licenses to hunters. The beast is hunted for meat, the skin is for making leather (durable suede) from it. The skin is not used for fur products - it is quickly wiped off. Musk deer are mainly harvested for the secret of its musk gland (available only in males). This secret is a strong fixative of aromas in the products of the perfume industry. In the past, musk deer musk was used as an integral part of medicines for a number of diseases, as a tonic. The demand for it, especially in the countries of the East, was great. In the 19th century, several tens of thousands of musk "bags" (glands) of musk deer were exported from Russia to China almost every year. For example, in 1855 there were more than 80,000. At the beginning of this century, exports continued, but in 1928 only 5,000 "bags" "crossed" the border, the stocks of the beast had been severely undermined by that time.

Female musk deer reach sexual maturity in the 2nd year of life, males a year later. The gestation period is 6-6.5 months. Babies are 1-3. They are born in May-June. They are fed and fed with milk until late autumn. At birth, the mass of kabaroks is 300-400 grams! How can such a little one exist? The female is a caring, impeccable mother. He carefully hides and disguises his cubs for 2.5-3 months, until they grow up and can accompany their parent. The "fathers" of kabaroks are "windy" and do not take part in the cultivation and protection of offspring.

Musk deer is a solitary animal. Herds, does not form herds. Only in the mating season (November-December) do love rendezvous occur due to natural need.

The Sakhalin musk deer is a subspecies of the musk deer. The Sakhalin musk deer is the smallest. Its extraction is strictly prohibited. The total number on the island does not exceed 600-700 animals.

species protection

The number has decreased under the influence of economic activities of people - deforestation, mainly coniferous trees, without taking into account the existence of wild animals in them, laying roads, etc. The rainy deep snowy winters of many recent years have also negatively affected. Musk deer is included in the lists of the International Red Book with the status of vulnerable (vulnerable) species. The trade in musk deer is controlled by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES): the Himalayan musk deer is included in List No. 1 of the Annex to the Convention due to its low abundance and trade in its musk is prohibited. Musk of Chinese and Siberian subspecies of musk deer, which are included in Appendix No. 2, is allowed for sale, but under strict international control in order to avoid the extermination of natural populations.

An effective way to preserve musk deer, in addition to protecting animals in natural habitats, is breeding it in captivity. Moreover, many attempts to save individual subspecies or populations in nature are unsuccessful. And in Russia, for example, effective protective measures cannot be implemented in the near future simply for financial reasons. In addition, captivity allows musk to be obtained without killing animals, which reduces the pressure exerted by miners on wild animal populations.

Musk deer is a small, cute, deer-like, artiodactyl animal representing the musk deer family. It can be safely assumed that few people have ever heard of a funny animal that looks like a deer, boasts long legs and fangs, and at the same time is affectionately called a “kabarok”!

What does this funny animal look like?

This animal is quite small in size, the body length reaches one meter, the tail is from 4 to 6 centimeters long, the height at the withers reaches 70 centimeters, and the weight is a maximum of 18 kilograms. An amazing view of this animal is given not only by teeth, but also by disproportionately long legs, due to which the sacrum of a standing musk deer rises 5 or even 10 centimeters above the withers. By the way, about the teeth. Unlike the fellow deer, which is often referred to as the musk deer, it does not have horns, but has curved fangs that protrude from under the upper jaw by as much as 7-9 centimeters. In males, they play the role of weapons in fights.

The coat of this animal is long, beautiful and thick, but with all this it is very brittle, the color is brown or brown, sometimes reddish-brown. Juveniles have faint light gray spots on the sides and back. In general, the musk deer is very similar in structure to the deer: a short tail, a high back, thin hooves, females are smaller than males. But the most important difference between musk deer is its ability to secrete the most expensive product of animal origin - musk.

The musk gland located on the abdomen of the male can contain up to 20 grams of a strongly smelling precious product.

Where does the musk deer live

The distribution area is very wide, musk deer can be found in the Eastern Himalayas, Tibet, Eastern Siberia, Korea and even Sakhalin.

The beast lives on the steep slopes of the mountains, completely overgrown with coniferous forest, at an altitude of 600 to 900 meters, less often at an altitude of up to 1600 meters and even higher. So high can be found in the Himalayas or Tibet, where the musk deer climbs as much as 3000 meters above sea level.

What he eats and how he spends his days

The musk deer jumps superbly, any animal will envy its maneuverability with black envy. She can easily change direction by as much as 90 degrees, without slowing down, and confusing her tracks, like hares. Favorite places habitats - dark coniferous areas of the taiga with rock outcrops, where the animal lives constantly, usually alone, and very rarely in a group. One individual accounts for over 30 hectares in summer, and up to 20 hectares in winter.

The musk deer prefers to feast on lichens, terrestrial and epiphytic, the share of which in the diet in winter is over 90%. Also, do not mind eating cedar and fir needles, horsetail, fern, blueberry leaves, and many other plant foods.

The period of mating games and reproduction

During the breeding season, males become extremely aggressive towards other males of the same age. They may chase the "enemy" by rushing to knock down aprons with their hooves or thrusting their sharp fangs into it, sometimes knocking them to the ground and finishing them to death with their hooves. In a couple, they behave calmly and peacefully. Mating takes place in winter, in December-January, after which the female bears 1-2 cubs for 6-7 months.

The life expectancy of this animal is extremely short, only 4-5 years, but oddly enough, if a musk deer lives in captivity, it can last all 10 or even 15.

The Siberian musk deer (lat. Moschus moshiferus) is a small mammal belonging to the Musk Deer family (Moschidae). Together with the Olenkovs (Tragulidae), it is considered one of the oldest artiodactyls that appeared about 50 million years ago.

The animal is recognized as a vulnerable species. According to the most optimistic estimates total strength population is estimated at 230 thousand individuals. With increasing levels of poaching, it decreases by about 10% every generation.

Musk deer are hunted mainly for musk, which is used in perfumery and in Chinese traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system and strengthening the immune system. A kilogram of this substance, derived from the musk gland, costs up to $50,000 on the black market.

From one adult killed animal, it is extracted no more than 30 g.

The meat is eaten, but has a sharp unpleasant odor.

Spreading

The habitat covers the territory of the eastern part of Siberia and the Far East. The species is found in northern China, Mongolia and Korean peninsula. The western border of the range passes at Lake Balkhash and the foothills of Altai, and the northern border near the Arctic Circle. In China, the musk deer is preserved in the provinces of Xinjiang, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei, Shanxi and Inner Mongolia. In the south, it is observed up to 45 ° north latitude.

Animals prefer to settle in coniferous forests and on their outskirts near rocks. In mountainous areas they are found at altitudes up to 1800 m above sea level. In summer they often go down to the valleys to feast on fresh grass.

To date, taxonomists distinguish 3 subspecies. The largest nominate subspecies M.m. moschiferus is distributed in Siberia, northern China and Mongolia. M.m. parvipes is found mainly in the Far Eastern regions, Korea, the Amur region and the Ussuri region.

The smallest subspecies M.m. sachalinensis lives on Sakhalin Island.

Behavior

The Siberian musk deer is active mainly from dusk to dawn. She eats primarily the leaves of shrubs, grass, mosses and lichens. In winter, it feeds almost exclusively on lichens and small amounts of pine needles. To get to them, the ungulate is able to climb trees, and in their absence goes to the bark of conifers.

The animal lives alone or in small family groups. It marks the boundaries of its possessions with the contents of the musk gland, leaving a smell on deadwood, branches and tree trunks. Additionally, feces are used as border posts.

During the day, the musk deer rests in the thick of vegetation or among the rocks, hiding from predators. Her main natural enemies are (Lynx) and (Gulo gulo).

reproduction

Sexual maturity occurs at about 18 months of age. Representatives of opposite sexes meet only during the mating season, which usually takes place in late autumn.

Males arrange violent fights among themselves, using sharp fangs to injure competitors.

Pregnancy lasts 165-175 days. In a secluded place, the female brings one, very rarely two cubs. The first weeks of life, the babies are painted in light colors, which serve as excellent camouflage against the background of fallen leaves. As they mature, their fur darkens.

Milk feeding lasts about 6 months. Up to a year, offspring remain with their mother, and then they move on to an independent existence.

Description

The body length of adults is 70-90 cm, the height at the withers is 55-60 cm, and the weight is 9-14 kg. The fur is colored light brown, brownish or reddish brown. Color varies depending on location and season. In winter, the fur is lighter than in summer.

The forelimbs are short, while the hind limbs are much longer and more muscular. The line of the back is curved. The structure of the body allows you to make large and powerful jumps in the mountains. Females are larger and heavier than males. They have no horns.

Males have very sharp and slightly recurved fangs in the upper jaw. In females, fangs are much smaller.

The life span of the Siberian musk deer wild nature about 12-15 years old. In captivity at good care she lives to be 20 years old.

Description of the species and range. Musk deer looks like a small hornless deer ( rice. 98 ). Body length 70-90 cm, height at the withers 50-60 cm. It is usually brown or brown in color with two white stripes along the front of the neck; sometimes (more often in young ones) light gray spots are scattered along the back and sides. The male has a pair of thin fangs up to 6 cm long sticking out from under the upper lip. At standing beast the croup is noticeably higher than the withers. An alarmed musk deer keeps its ears upright, and not spread apart, like a roe deer. A track of a musk deer with two or four distinct prints of narrow hooves, 4-5 cm long; on the run, the tracks of the hind legs are often ahead of the tracks of the front ones, like those of a hare. Heaps of litter resemble sunflower seeds. The eyes glow yellowish-green at night.

Distributed in Siberia east of the Yenisei, in Altai, in the Sayans, the Amur region, Primorye and Sakhalin ( rice. 99 ). Inhabits dense taiga forests, more often mountain forests. It feeds mainly on tree lichens, in summer it also eats herbaceous plants, in winter - fir and cedar needles. Usually lives alone in a deaf dark coniferous taiga with windbreak, deadwood, rock outcrops, often near a stream or a small forest lake. On its site, it lays a dense network of trails, mostly passing at the foot of rocks and along fallen trunks. In winter, kabarozh trails sometimes turn into deep trenches. Along the trails, the musk deer quickly escapes pursuit. When fleeing, she can turn at full speed at a right angle, stop instantly and pick up speed again with one long jump. If a predator or a specially trained dog still manages to unravel the tracks, the musk deer settles down in the rocks. It is very difficult to see the musk deer. Sometimes you can hear her alarm signal - a characteristic "chief-foy", similar to sneezing.

The rut is at the beginning of winter, at this time musk deer are found in groups of 3-4. Males fight very rarely. Pregnancy lasts more than six months. The female brings 1-2, occasionally 3 spotted cubs, which at first hide in a secluded place, usually in a windbreak. Only by the end of summer do they begin to accompany their mother, who, in case of danger, tries to distract the predator towards herself. The squash become adults the next year. Males have a gland on their belly that secretes musk (musk stream). It is used in perfumery and oriental medicine; as well as in the manufacture of odorous baits for predators. At the beginning of the 19th century, in most regions of Russia, the musk deer was almost exterminated, then the number increased due to the measures taken to protect it, but in Soviet time fell again due to poaching. Basically, musk deer are beaten for the sake of musk, which is in great demand in a number of eastern countries, especially in Japan.

The Sakhalin subspecies is listed in the Red Book of Russia (less than 450 heads have survived). A technology has been developed for breeding musk deer in captivity, but in Russia it has not yet been possible to create enterprises of this kind.

Population dynamics. The number of musk deer is established as a result of the analysis of data from ground surveys, estimates of specialists from territorial hunting departments and literary sources. The results of winter counts of the last three years have shown that the problems associated with increasing the reliability of musk deer abundance estimates can be largely resolved within the framework of the ZMU, provided that it is further improved and developed in the regions of Siberia and the Far East. In particular, in order to clarify the abundance of musk deer and to reveal the spatial structure of its range, the transition of the ZMU to a system of permanent survey routes, which began in 1998, is undoubtedly significant.

Table 27. The number of musk deer (thousand heads)

AT West Siberian economic region the main range of the musk deer is confined to mountain Altai. In the Altai Republic, the number of musk deer is estimated at 1.5 thousand individuals ( tab. 27 ). The exploitation of musk deer in the Altai Republic is not carried out, there is a republican ban on its production. In the Altai Territory, the habitats of the musk deer are insignificant; the ZMU notes its traces in 4 regions of the Western Altai. The 1999 census showed a slight increase in numbers. The musk deer has no commercial value in the Altai Territory.

AT East Siberian economic region musk deer lives in almost all regions. In the Krasnoyarsk Territory in the last three years, there has been a trend of gradual growth in numbers from 10.5 thousand head. in 1997 to 12.0 thousand head. in 1999 Control ground surveys in 1999 conducted in the central regions Krasnoyarsk Territory, showed that local densities in areas where musk deer are not harvested reach high values ​​- 9, 46 individuals per 1000 ha, with the regional average - 0.34 individuals per 1000 ha of forest area. According to the specialists of the regional management, "according to the nature of long-term cyclical fluctuations in the abundance of musk deer, the current phase of the dynamics of its abundance can be assessed as stabilization at an optimal level corresponding to the capacity of the species' habitat." In the seasons 1995-1996, 1996-1997. hunting for musk deer in the region was closed. However, the ban did not give significant changes in numbers, therefore, starting from the hunting season of 1997- 1998, musk deer hunting was reopened. During the hunting season 1998-1999. legal production amounted to 0.2% of the spring abundance. In the Republic of Khakassia, musk deer reaches high abundance densities in the mountain taiga forests of the Tashtyp and Bey regions. In the rest of the territory of the republic, which is part of the area, the density of its population is insignificant. According to the ZMU, the number of musk deer in 1997 was 3.7 thousand individuals, in 1998 - 3.9 thousand. The ZMU in 1999 showed a sharp decrease in the number to 2.6 thousand individuals. Of course, the record data of one year is not enough to talk about a steady trend in the decline in numbers. However, given the negative changes in the number of musk deer, during the hunting season of 1999-2000. musk deer harvesting was not planned. In Buryatia, the musk deer is distributed throughout the republic. According to the census data of 1999, the number of musk deer decreased from 16.9 thousand in 1998 to the level of 12.6 thousand individuals. A less significant decrease in livestock was also noted last year. The extraction of musk deer in the republic is carried out annually. In 1997-98 529 goals were harvested, which accounted for 84.1% of the number of licenses issued, in 1998-99. utilization of sold licenses is even higher - 91%. However, according to specialists from the hunting department, due to the low solvency of the population, there are problems with the implementation of licenses. The structure of shooting is completely shifted towards males - in 1999, out of 458 animals caught, 455 were adult males. In the Irkutsk region, the musk deer inhabits almost the entire territory, with the exception of the northern Katangsky and Chunsky, as well as the urbanized Angarsky districts, where only a few sightings of musk deer are recorded. Over the past three years, there has been a gradual increase in numbers, in 1999 it amounted to 20.5 thousand heads. During the hunting season 1998-99. 364 animals were harvested (58% of the quota), a similar percentage of quota development was in the 1997-98 season. In the structure of the shooting season 1996-97. males predominated - 71.5%. In Ust-Orda Buryat autonomous region musk deer lives everywhere, but the absolute stock is small. The number has been relatively stable over the past three years. According to the census data of 1999, it is 400 individuals. It has no commercial value. In the Chita region, the musk deer lives in all areas, with the exception of Zabaikalsky, Priargunsky and Krasnokamensky. A retrospective assessment of the number, according to the Chita Game Administration, reveals a picture of a stable state of musk deer resources in the last 5-6 years - about 22 thousand head. It should be noted that in the Chita region there is a high percentage of quota development. In the 1997-1 season 998 years with 100% development of the quota, 1000 goals were produced, in 1998-99. with the same quota - 896 head., Or 4.5% of the spring population. In the Aginsky Buryat Autonomous Okrug, according to the regional Committee for Environmental Protection, in 1998 there were about 100-120 goals. The musk deer has no commercial value in the district. In the Republic of Tyva, the musk deer lives in all areas. The number of musk deer, according to the data of winter route accounting in 1999, amounted to 10.5 thousand individuals. Over the past three years, apparently, there have been certain changes in the organization of the musk deer fishery. In the 1996-97 season. legal production was extremely low - only 42 musk deer were taken. During the 1997-1998 season. musk deer production increased sharply and amounted to 420 heads, in 1998-1999. 196 heads or 2.1% of the spring population were harvested.

On the Far East musk deer is widespread. In the Republic of Sakha, the musk deer inhabits a large area, mainly including the southwestern, central and northeastern regions of Yakutia. According to the data of the Department of Biological Resources of the Republic of Sakha, the number of musk deer in 1996 was estimated at 20.0 thousand individuals, in 1997 - at 13.0 thousand. The limit of about 100 heads allocated during this period was practically not mastered. During the hunting season 1995-1996. 17 were officially mined, and in 1996-1997. - 2 musk deer. There is no more recent mining information. In the Khabarovsk Territory, the musk deer is ubiquitous. Over the past three years, according to the ZMU, the number of musk deer has increased from 20.7 thousand head. in 1997 to 26.3 in 1998 and then in 1999.decreased to 24.0 thousand head. Starting from the 1996-97 season. Khabarovsk Territory allocated a quota of 1000 goals. Actual production in 1996-97 seasons and 1997-98 was 35% of the quota, in 1998-99. it rose to 62%. During the hunting season 1998-1999. the percentage of male prey was 89.6%. In Primorsky Krai, musk deer is common, except for the Khanka regions. The number, according to the hunting department, since 1992 is within 18 thousand individuals. According to the hunting department, in the last three years there has been a slow increase in numbers from 17.7 thousand individuals in 1997 to 21.0 thousand in 1999. The exploitation of musk deer is carried out annually. However, legal production is small. In the 1997-1998 season. with a quota of 1000 goals. 148 musk deer were caught, in 1998-1999. - 124 musk deer out of 550 allowed for hunting were caught.In the Amur region, the range of the musk deer has a very complex border and includes 8 out of 20 administrative districts. ZMU 1999 showed a 15% increase in numbers compared to the previous year, which amounted to 13.0 thousand individuals. Operation is not in progress. The mining ban has been introduced at the regional level. In the Jewish Autonomous Region, musk deer are found in Obluchensky and Oktyabrsky districts. The stock of musk deer in 1999 was determined at 0.26 thousand individuals. There is no hunting for musk deer. In the Sakhalin Region, the musk deer lives only on Sakhalin Island, where it is distributed almost everywhere. The exception is the Okha region, where it was not observed in last decade. According to the ZMU data in 1997, its number was 1.1 thousand heads, in 1998 - 1.46 thousand heads. In 1999, the trend of population growth that had been outlined in 1998 was confirmed. In 1999, the number of musk deer was estimated at 1.6 thousand. The Sakhalin subspecies of musk deer is listed in the Red Book of the RSFSR.

In general, in Russia, the post-harvest population of musk deer from 1997 to 1999 is estimated to be relatively stable. During the hunting season 1998-1999. production amounted to 2769 heads. The level of legal seizure of musk deer is gentle. In recent years, in Russia as a whole, production did not exceed 2.5% of the post-harvest population.

Musk deer (Moschus moschiferus Linn) is one of the smallest and most unique representatives of deer in the northern hemisphere. This small deer (some researchers distinguish the musk deer as an independent family), no more than half a meter high at the withers, has a number of specific features. So, the musk deer has no horns, but the males have strongly developed upper fangs that stick out of the mouth down, and their ends fall below the chin. These fangs grow throughout life, reaching 7-10 centimeters in adult males, while they have a sharp cutting rear edge. In females, the upper fangs are short, and they do not protrude beyond the lip. In the life of male musk deer, they are as important as the horns of other representatives of deer.

The musk deer would have looked more slender and graceful if it were not for the developed hind limbs (the hind legs of the musk deer are one and a half times longer than the front ones), which makes the musk deer look as if hunched over. The thorax of musk deer is short and narrow, indicating an inability to run for a long time. However, in the process of evolution, the musk deer acquired other advantages that allowed it to survive and thrive in the harsh conditions of the mountains for hundreds and hundreds of thousands of years. So, a soft horn rim on the hoof cover keeps it from sliding on the stones and helps to deftly overcome the ice. The musk deer has developed an amazing ability to maintain body balance. Even when running fast, it is able to change direction by 90 degrees. It is easy to turn around and run back along your trail or instantly stop in your tracks and hold on to a small stone. Strong hind legs allow the musk deer to make magnificent acrobatic jumps, both in height and in length.

The protective coloration, in which weakly outlined light brown spots are scattered in disorder on the general dark brown background of the body, sides and back of the musk deer, makes the musk deer almost invisible in the forest. And not only in static, but also during movement. Such a coloring seems to dissolve a small deer against the background of growing and fallen trees, among rocky cliffs and stones of the dark taiga. With age, spotting decreases and may disappear altogether. Two light stripes stretch along the neck of the male from the chin to the front legs, as if dividing the body into two parts. This helps the musk deer to remain invisible when sunlight and shadow play. The belly of the musk deer is light brown or grayish in color. The hairline consists mainly of densely adjacent, slightly sinuous large guard hairs. In winter, the core layer is extremely developed in them, which helps the animal to keep warm in severe frosts.
The historical range of the musk deer occupied almost the entire eastern half of the Asian continent, replete with vast mountain systems and stretching from the northern border of the taiga to southern China, Burma, Vietnam, the greatest mountains of the planet - the Himalayas, India. Occupying such a vast territory, the musk deer has insignificant differences, forming several geographical forms, the so-called subspecies.

More than 90% of the total world population of musk deer is concentrated in the northern territory of Russia. The mountain systems of Eastern Siberia, Yakutia-Sakha, Altai, Sayan, Magadan and Amur regions, the Far East (except Kamchatka) and Sakhalin - everywhere in the mountain taiga forests you can find this little deer.
The southern habitats of the musk deer are islands of small foci where the musk deer lives and has survived. In addition to Russia, musk deer lives in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Korea, China, Nepal. In India, where the musk deer occupies a biological niche mainly at the upper border of the mountain forests of the Himalayas and in the mountain forests of Vietnam, this deer is almost universally exterminated and is rare. The same fate befell the musk deer in densely populated Eastern China. In Nepal, it can only be found in certain areas, mainly in well-protected national parks.

By virtue of its biology, the musk deer is a highly specific ungulate animal that has adapted to living in mountain taiga landscapes. Here it mainly inhabits the middle belt of mountains, preferring the dark coniferous forests of the taiga, consisting of cedar, spruce, fir and larch. The favorite habitats of the musk deer in such forests are areas with dense undergrowth and thickets of shrubs with rock outcrops. The density of musk deer in the dark coniferous taiga, which corresponds to the ecological characteristics of this species, can reach 30 individuals per 1000 ha. However, our East Siberian taiga forests do not always meet the requirements for musk deer, and it is their variegated mosaic of vegetation that causes a large uneven distribution. Musk deer can also be found in secondary forests that appear on old burnt areas, however, the places of their presence are always tied to the remains of old dark coniferous forests. The plasticity of the musk deer as a species lies in the fact that it is able to live in forests devoid of rocky outcrops. If the taiga is windy, where there are many shelters and shelters in the form of fallen trunks, musk deer can live there with the same density as in rugged mountainous terrain.

Northern forests, or, as they are also called, boreal (named Greek god north wind of Boreas), grow in one of the most severe climates on the planet. The temperature range in the East Siberian taiga is from -50°C to +35°C, and, nevertheless, this deer was able to master these spaces in the process of evolution. Throughout the territory from the right bank of the great Siberian river Yenisei to Pacific Ocean there is a continuous succession of vast plateaus and ridges connected with each other by spurs. Endless taiga forests grow here, three-quarters of which are in the permafrost zone, consisting of cedar, spruce, fir, larch, growing here in continuous arrays. Dark cedars and dense thickets of fir and spruce to blackness - such is the kabaroja taiga. Only larch forests transform such a taiga, but here, along the valleys of rivers and streams flowing down from the slopes of the mountains, dark coniferous giants grow. In these gloomy forests, only narrow animal paths littered with dead trees allow a traveler on foot to pass. The world of musk deer is a taiga, where mosses and lichens climb high on trees and fancifully dress them, either completely covering the trunks, or hanging from the branches with tassels and fringes, making them even more unattractive to human eyes. Strange, saddening forests.
In gloomy thickets littered with fallen trees, even the eternal enemies of the musk deer - the wolverine, the lynx or the most beautiful Far Eastern marten, the kharze (a native of the Himalayas) - is not easy to sneak up on the musk deer. Large predators – brown bear, wolf - almost never manages to get musk deer. The usual sounds that warn the musk deer of a possible danger in such a forest are the crackling of branches, the rustle of leaves, and the creak of snow. Only when the wind rages in the taiga, breaking off old branches and knocking down a snowy hut, does the musk deer react to noise to a lesser extent, and the predator has a chance to catch this deer, sneaking up close to it, and not chasing it for a long time, taking it to starvation. Constantly on the alert, ready to instantly take off, possessing swiftness at short distances, evasiveness, the musk deer simply physically cannot run for a long time. All of its evolutionary abilities to survive in the conditions of the taiga did not require endurance, with prolonged pursuit, the musk deer develops shortness of breath, it is forced to make frequent stops to rest. The relentless pursuit of the predator inevitably led to the death of the musk deer, and here it developed a special tactic. Winding and confusing the trail, she goes to the sludge. Making his way along ledges and narrow cornices, he climbs into a place inaccessible to a predator and stays there until the threat to her life has passed. In addition to jumping from ledge to ledge, the musk deer is able to pass along overhanging eaves, the width of which often does not exceed several tens of centimeters. And given that the trail is at a considerable height, then this serious challenge and for the musk deer itself. It is on this feature of the musk deer to escape from danger that the hunt for it is often based. A good animal husky chases the musk deer and does not get confused, succumbing to all sorts of tricks that the animal does. Constant harassment forces the musk deer to sludge. The hunter can only go out to intercept, sensitively listening to the sounds of the chase, or approach the barking of his four-legged assistant. Knowing the places of sludge, you can come up in advance and hear the approach of musk deer by the sound of hooves and rapid breathing. This method of hunting musk deer is the most interesting and reckless, as it allows you to enjoy the work of the animal husky.

Young kabaroks learn this method of protection from their mother. In May-June, before calving, females stay close to shelters. Having brought one - two, and occasionally three cubs weighing only 300-500 grams, the mother almost immediately begins to teach them how to survive. At first, she teaches them to hide, but already at the age of 3-5 weeks, the musk deer begins to teach young musk deer to go to the sludge. To do this, the female gives a signal of false danger and quickly climbs the rocks, the cubs, in an effort to keep up with the mother, repeat all her movements after her. Unadapted, weak kabaroks can die, falling off a narrow ledge, but this is a kind of natural selection. The favorite food of the musk deer is various types of terrestrial and tree lichens. Musk deer in search of food moves with a slightly lowered head. Having found a lichen, she raises her head, sometimes crouches, can stand on her hind legs, while stretching her legs and dancing. Musk deer can remain in this position for up to 10 seconds. Sometimes it uses low horizontal branches of trees or the trunks themselves as a support, throwing their front legs on them in order to cut off the most delicious strands of lichens with sharp incisors in comfortable conditions. When looking for food in their area, the musk deer clearly focuses on dense and dark places where lichens grow in abundance. A leisurely transition from one fallen tree to another is a typical manner of movement of the musk deer. It is the excess of tree lichens that determines the presence and density of musk deer in one or another part of the taiga. An amazing sense of balance and natural dexterity allow the musk deer to climb lichens along inclined tree trunks to a height of up to 5 meters, deftly clinging to the bark and branches with their sharp hooves. The musk deer does not always do these circus exercises, preferring to collect lichen fragments from the surface of the snow cover. The constant replenishment of musk deer food in winter occurs due to the fall of lichen fragments and branches overgrown with lichens, under the influence of strong winds or snow. The musk deer prefers to eat small fragments of lichens 1-2 cm long. In larger strands, it eats only a part, which gives it the opportunity to reuse them in the future. This is a very important adaptation of the musk deer to living in a permanent territory. Wild ungulates, unlike domestic animals, always leave part of the food, moving from place to place, and do not eat it completely. During the snowless period, the musk deer willingly switches to the leaves of shrubs, herbaceous plants and mushrooms; it, as it were, gives the lichens the opportunity to rest, recover. In the conditions of dark coniferous mountain taiga, musk deer have practically no competitors in nutrition. AT summer time musk deer, like other ungulates, suffers from heat and the resulting midges. It is in summer that it migrates to the zone of loaches, in search of salvation from blood-sucking insects. For the winter, it will again descend into the taiga, into the lower and middle belt of mountains, although it often lingers on the upper border of the forest. When high snow falls, and in eastern Siberia it does not cake, the musk deer moves to steep slopes and mountain ridges, where the snow is either blown away by the wind or slides under its own weight. The musk deer arranges daily haul-outs in places protected from the cold wind.
The musk deer prefers to live in permanent areas without making any significant migrations. It is active, as a rule, at dusk and at night. Only in winter, following the tracks, one can trace its daily activity, nutritional habits, the degree of use of the occupied territory, favorite crossing routes, places of daytime rest. According to the observations of hunting scientists and hunters-traders, the size of the habitats of musk deer of different sex and age is different. The maximum plots (up to 300 hectares) have adult males, starting from the age of 3 years. In females of the year of both sexes, the areas are 5-10 times smaller. Already in the second year of life in males, they begin to increase almost 2 times. On the sites of males older than 2 years, from one to four females live in different years. The role of adult males is very important for the musk deer population, and hence for the survival of the entire species; thus, along the boundary of the plots of males, females and underyearlings occupy places with a strong interval, undergrowth of conifers, where food and protective resources are the highest. The distribution and movement of males, starting from the third year of life, depend on the nature of the forest to a lesser extent. Adult males react primarily to the dispersal of females and neighboring males. During the day, males "patrol" the habitat and travel long distances - up to 5 km. The life of an adult male is much more endangered, they are more often attacked by predators, but such is the price for the right to pass on their genes to the next generations of musk deer. Females and underyearlings, especially on cold winter days, move little.

Individual areas of musk deer of the same sex can overlap each other, and to the greatest extent they overlap in males during the rut. Close contacts between individuals occur infrequently, but at high numbers they do occur. This is mainly the breeding season when pairs form. Males take part in the rut from the third year of life, and females can bring offspring as early as two years of age. For musk deer, who lead a mostly solitary lifestyle, communication based on smells is a constant way of communicating. Marking of the habitat area in males is carried out in two ways: by applying specific marks with the smell of glands on various towering objects and by leaving sharp-smelling excrement. Both males leave marks all year round. Adult males mark habitat areas most intensively in late November - December - up to 50 marks per day. At this time, the rut begins, in this season the males master the largest territory. It was then that in the frosty air from the male musk deer comes a pleasant smell of musk. In January, the activity of males decreases, and the individual territory is reduced again. The reaction of males of different ages to marks, both their own and those of others, left in different time, are not the same. Since strong adult males with grown fangs are the owners of the sites, in the absence of horns, the upper fangs acquire a special role in the struggle for possession of the female, and hence the protection of their individual site from rivals. When two males meet in the same territory during the rut, conflicts occur. Basically, there is intimidation of the enemy. Two males, equal in strength and age, walk in a circle at a distance of 6-7 m from one another and, raising their heads up, bare and show their fangs to each other. At the same time, the wool stands on end, increasing true dimensions everyone. In most cases, the demonstration ends with one running away, usually young, but sometimes fights break out. With fangs, males tend to strike at the body of the enemy, the fangs often break off. During fights, males hit each other on the ridge and rump with their front legs, jumping high at the same time. Broken fangs of males and scars on the body are a confirmation of the seriousness of tournament fights of males equal in physical strength and age. All the musk deer living in this area use the trails during deep snow, and, unfortunately, poachers use this, putting their nooses on the musk deer. Hundreds and thousands of musk deer perish in vain in the loops.
The musk gland, which produces a secret created by evolution for the prosperity of the species, and which has become a curse to the musk deer due to the endless persecution of people, is located under the skin of the abdomen between the navel and the genitals. Kabarozhya stream has long been valued in the East, and with the advent of the cosmetic and perfume industry - in Europe. Musk in traditional oriental medicine is considered an unsurpassed analgesic and remedy for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, helps with colds and rheumatism, and increases potency. In China alone, more than 400 medicines are known, in the manufacture of which musk is used. Kabarozhi musk is mentioned in the writings of ancient Arab doctors. The Greeks and Romans used it to make incense ointments.

The musk gland begins to produce musk when male musk deer reach maturity, that is, from the age of 2, and the gland is actively functioning until the age of 11. Musk glands were extracted from wild-caught musk deer and dried in the sun. From the dried musk gland, you can get from 20 to 50 grams of musk powder.

After a significant reduction in the number of musk deer in the wild in Asian countries, they are seriously engaged in keeping and breeding musk deer in captivity. And although musk deer is considered a difficult species to breed, musk deer began to be successfully bred in China in 1958. Currently, in this country there are more than two dozen large and small farms specializing in breeding musk deer, and the number of livestock is more than two thousand. There are similar farms in South Korea, India, Mongolia, Nepal and Bhutan, which also receive precious musk from captive deer.

In fairness, it should be noted that for the first time they began to breed musk deer in captivity in Russia. In Altai, back in the 18th century (one of the periods when there was an extraordinary demand for musk, and the number of the animal was everywhere undermined), the first farms for keeping musk deer appeared. It was from Altai in 1772 that the musk deer was delivered to Western Europe, to the zoo in Paris.

A farm was built on the Chernogolovka scientific base in the Moscow region in 1976, where 2 males and 3 females of musk deer were brought, from which the first offspring were received the next year. Over the entire period of the farm's existence, more than 200 kabaroks were born here, among which were individuals of the 7th generation. All these facts indicate that, with proper care, the musk deer is a very flexible species, it is able to live in new places where it has never been found before. The main difficulty in breeding musk deer is the need to get as close as possible to natural conditions. Musk deer need areas of dark coniferous forest with windfall trees for living, and under the canopy - thickets of shrubs and clearings with herbage. adults coniferous trees give a permanent shadow. Shrubs or tall grass cover provide shelter and food source. In addition, the litter of a dark coniferous forest contains a specific set of microorganisms that are part of intestinal microflora musk deer in the first days of life. In the conditions of flat European forests, rocks and stony placers are imitated by boardwalks at a height of 2.5 - 3.0 meters, where the musk deer considers itself safe and escapes from mosquitoes, horseflies and midges. Once upon a time, the musk deer was the main game animal in the expanses of Eastern Siberia, providing a livelihood for many generations of Siberians. The history of hunting this animal tells that the musk deer has repeatedly lost commercial value due to overindulgence. But again and again, like a phoenix bird, it restored its numbers, confirming the plasticity and survival, which is especially evident with proper protection or a drop in demand for musk deer. At present, the number of musk deer in Russia is probably about 150 thousand individuals. It would seem that there are no particular reasons for concern, but in recent years, in addition to poaching, a new threat to its existence has appeared - commercial logging of taiga forests, especially in the Far East. And yet I would like to end the essay on musk deer on an optimistic note. The musk deer could also live in other territories of Russia, where historically it has never lived. Such could be the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Ural Mountains, and other suitable territories. But this requires the resuscitation of the nationwide program to restore the number of wild animals. An ancient and very interesting hunting object of the Russian fauna, the musk deer deserves not only to be the prey of hunters, but also to acquire the status of a popular trophy species. This deer makes it possible not only to hunt it in the dense taiga, virgin forests, but also to bring significant income to the regions where it lives. This requires a reorientation of Russian hunting and game management towards sports, and not fishing, as it once was in our country. And this has been proven in countries where hunting brings both joy to numerous trophy hunters and money, partly returned to the wild. Hunters in Russia must understand for themselves that musk deer, deer with “saber-toothed fangs” are a real hunting trophy!

Why do musk deer have fangs? The answer to this question is not entirely obvious, if only because these animals are loners, and even extremely shy. It was not possible to observe them in the wild for quite a long time, and the shamans of the peoples of Siberia used the fangs of the musk deer as amulets.

Such secrecy and mystery gave rise to many speculations, to the point that the musk deer is supposedly a predator that drinks the blood of other animals. Of course, this is complete nonsense, and today there can be no unscientific speculation on this topic. Scientists have long established that the musk deer is a herbivore.

By the way, only male musk deer have fangs: they replace their missing horns. Their length sometimes reaches 9 cm and this is a very impressive weapon, albeit a "tournament" one. During the rutting period, male musk deer, fighting for superiority, cause serious damage to each other. Sometimes the wounds received from the opponent are so severe that the animal dies.

"Well, deer have fangs instead of horns. So what?" Oddly enough, the musk deer not only looks rather unusual for a herbivore. The male musk deer has a musk gland on its belly. Actually, for the sake of musk, the musk deer, as well as the muskrat, was mined very actively until it was under the threat of destruction.

Musk- strongly smelling aromatic substance of animal origin. Aroma - sharp, tart, persistent. It is used both in oriental medicine and in perfumery production.

In the Middle Ages, musk was used as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent during epidemics of cholera and plague. During the Tudor era in Great Britain, musk was added to medicines for melancholy. Until the mid-19th century, European physicians prescribed musk for paralysis, nervous disorders, infectious diseases, bronchial asthma, as an anticonvulsant for epilepsy, various spasms of smooth muscles, and colic.

To date, in China, musk is part of more than 200 medicines. Studies conducted in India have shown that this substance has a general stimulating effect on the heart and central nervous system and is also effective as an anti-inflammatory agent.

When it was discovered that the musk deer has a musk gland, hunting began for these animals. Moreover, hunters were only interested in glands. It got to the point that, having obtained what they wanted, the killed animals were simply left in the forest. This led to a reduction in the number of musk deer. For the sake of preserving this species, the musk deer was included in the list of specially protected species. Of the subspecies living in the territory Russian Federation, the Sakhalin musk deer is listed in the Red Book, and the Himalayan musk deer is listed in the International Red Book.

However, the desired musk is still mined. Moreover, in a completely legal way: from the beginning of the 20th century, musk deer began to be bred on farms. The first such experiment was carried out in Saudi Arabia- quite successfully. Of course, such farming is a costly business, but the profit from it is significant.

In some regions of the Russian Federation, hunting for musk deer for the purpose of extracting musk is allowed. The annual harvest limit is about 1,500 animals; only males are the object of hunting.

Musk deer, leaving the chase, can confuse the tracks, like a hare.
-Already in a jump, the animal is able to turn 90 degrees and change direction or completely silently stop on the run.
- Water deer live in China. These animals are very similar to musk deer.
-The main exporters of dry musk are Russia and China.
-In 1845, the number of musk deer in the Russian part of the range was 250 thousand individuals. And in the first third of the 20th century - did not exceed 10 thousand.