Mammals nocturnal

Greater Oriental Chevrotain

Tragulus napu

Meet the "mouse-deer" of the deep forest, a primitive and enchanting ungulate the size of a rabbit. With its pencil-thin legs and large, soulful eyes, the Greater Oriental Chevrotain is a true living fossil of Southeast Asia.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 70–75 cm (28–30 in); Weight: 5–8 kg (11–18 lbs)

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Colors

Russet-brown upperparts with a white underbelly; distinctive throat pattern with five white stripes; dark markings on the nape of the neck.

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Key Features

Large dark eyes and a pointed, mouse-like snout
Pencil-thin legs and a rounded, arched back
Five distinct white stripes on the throat area
Males possess elongated, tusk-like canine teeth instead of antlers

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern nocturnal

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Peak hours 7 PM - 4 AM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily a frugivore that searches the forest floor for fallen fruits, seeds, and berries. They also consume succulent green leaves, young shoots, and occasionally small fungi or insects.

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Habitat Lowland tropical forests, swamp forests, and occasionally rural orchards or gardens located near dense forest edges.

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Behavior

The Greater Oriental Chevrotain, also known as the Napu, is an ancient and secretive mammal that occupies the niche between a deer and a pig. Despite its name, it is not a true deer but a member of the Tragulidae family. It is a solitary and highly territorial animal, navigating the dense tropical undergrowth with a unique, hunched gait. They are incredibly shy, relying on their keen senses and camouflaged coat to evade predators like leopards and large snakes.

During the day, they remain well-hidden in hollow logs or thick vegetation, emerging primarily under the cover of darkness. When threatened, they are known to beat their hooves rapidly on the ground as a warning or to create a distraction before darting away. While they are generally quiet, they may emit soft bleats or whistles when communicating with mates or young.

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Camera Tips

Capturing a Greater Oriental Chevrotain requires a low-profile setup. Because these animals are only about 30 centimeters tall at the shoulder, your camera should be mounted no more than 12 to 15 inches off the ground. If the camera is too high, you will likely only capture the top of their back or miss them entirely as they move through the leaf litter. Aim the camera along established game trails that lead toward water sources or under fruiting trees, as these are their primary travel corridors.

Since they are almost exclusively nocturnal, using a camera with high-quality infrared (IR) capabilities is essential. To avoid spooking these nervous creatures, choose a "No-Glow" or black LED infrared flash. Standard white flashes or even "Low-Glow" red LEDs can cause them to flee the area immediately. Set your camera to a fast trigger speed and use a 3-photo burst mode; their movements are often jerky and fast, and a single shot might only capture a blurred tail as they move out of the frame.

Attracting them to a specific spot can be achieved by utilizing fallen fruit. If you have access to wild figs, jackfruit, or even fallen mangoes, place a small pile in a clearing in front of your camera. In suburban edges, they are often drawn to vegetable scraps or fallen fruit from garden trees. Avoid clearing too much brush around your camera site; the Chevrotain feels most comfortable when it has immediate cover to retreat into if it senses danger.

Patience is key with this species. They are highly sensitive to human scent, so try to minimize your visits to the camera site. When you do check your SD card, wear gloves and consider using a scent-masking spray on the camera housing. The best footage is often captured during the rainy season when the ground is soft, making their quiet footsteps even harder for predators to hear and encouraging them to move more freely throughout the night.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Greater Oriental Chevrotain.

Lesser Oriental Chevrotain

Noticeably smaller with only three white throat stripes and a less robust build.

Barking Deer (Muntjac)

Much larger with visible antlers on males and a distinctive 'barking' call that the Chevrotain lacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Greater Oriental Chevrotain are primarily nocturnal, reaching their peak activity levels between 7 PM and 4 AM, though they may occasionally be seen during the dim light of dawn or dusk.

To attract these shy animals, provide dense ground-level cover and a source of fallen fruit like figs or berries. Ensure the area is quiet and free from domestic pets, as they are easily frightened.

Their diet is mostly comprised of fallen tropical fruits, seeds, and young leaves. They are opportunistic foragers and will also eat fungi and small insects if they find them on the forest floor.

While they prefer primary and secondary forests, they are increasingly spotted in suburban gardens and rural orchards that border forest reserves, especially if there is plenty of undergrowth for hiding.

The Greater Oriental Chevrotain is larger than its cousin, the Lesser Oriental Chevrotain, and can be distinguished by having five white stripes on its throat instead of three.

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