Tufted Deer

Elaphodus cephalophus

mammals5 U.S. zoos
Where to see one
5 U.S. zoos in our directory hold tufted deer, confirmed against each zoo's own animal list.

Conservation status

Not Evaluated

This species has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List, so it sits outside the threat scale entirely.

About the tufted deer

The tufted deer is a small deer with a prominent tuft of dark hair on the forehead and, in males, fang-like canines. It is a close relative of the muntjac and lives in damp, high forests, mainly in China, at 500 to 4,500 metres, close to the tree line. Standing 50 to 70 cm at the shoulder, it has a coat that is almost black in winter and chocolate brown in summer. It is mostly solitary or found in pairs, active at dawn and dusk, and follows fixed routes in a territory males defend vigorously. When alarmed it barks and flees in cat-like jumps.

Tufted Deer facts

  • The forehead tuft can be up to 17 cm long and almost hides a male's very short antlers.
  • Males have fang-like canines up to 2.6 cm long.
  • When alarmed it barks, then flees in cat-like jumps.
  • Its coat is almost black in winter and chocolate brown in summer.

Where to see tufted deer in the U.S.

5 zoos across 5 states

Find the closest one

Rank the 5 zoos holding tufted deer by how far they are from you. Your location is used in your browser to sort this list and is never sent to us.

AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this

Built from each zoo's own published animal list.

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