Mammals nocturnal

White-spotted Chevrotain

Moschiola meminna

A living relic of the ancient forest, the White-spotted Chevrotain is one of the world's smallest and most secretive hoofed mammals. This 'mouse-deer' tiptoes through the Sri Lankan undergrowth, using its dappled coat to vanish into the shadows.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 45–60 cm (18–24 in); Shoulder height: 20–25 cm (8–10 in); Weight: 2–4.5 kg (4.5–10 lbs)

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Colors

Dark brown to grizzled-ochre coat with 4-5 longitudinal rows of distinct white spots and broken stripes on the flanks; throat has three white stripes; belly is creamy white.

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Key Features

Tiny, deer-like body with a rounded back and slender legs
White spots arranged in clear horizontal lines along the sides
Lack of antlers in both sexes; males possess protruding upper canine 'tusks'
Four well-developed toes on each foot

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 and herbivore, it specializes in eating fallen fruits, seeds, and tender leaves. It is also known to occasionally consume small invertebrates like insects or crustaceans when foraging in damp areas.

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Habitat Found primarily in the dry and intermediate zones of Sri Lanka, favoring primary and secondary forests, scrublands, and gardens with dense undergrowth near water sources.

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Behavior

The White-spotted Chevrotain, often called the 'mouse-deer,' is an ancient lineage of ungulate that acts as a bridge between pigs and modern deer. They are incredibly shy and solitary creatures, spending their days hidden in dense thickets or hollow logs to avoid predators. When they move, they do so with a unique, high-stepping gait that allows them to navigate the leaf litter with minimal noise.

These mammals are primarily nocturnal, though they may occasionally be active during the early morning or late evening if they feel secure. Unlike larger deer, they do not have a strong social structure; sightings of more than one individual usually indicate a mother with her fawn or a brief mating encounter. When threatened, they exhibit a 'freeze' response, relying on their camouflaged spots to blend into the dappled light of the forest floor before suddenly bolting into the brush.

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Camera Tips

To capture the elusive White-spotted Chevrotain, camera height is the most critical factor. Because these animals are only about 10 inches tall at the shoulder, your camera should be mounted very low—ideally between 10 and 15 inches off the ground. If the camera is mounted at standard human chest height, you will likely only capture the tops of their heads or miss them entirely as they move through the undergrowth.

Choose a location with dense ground cover or a known animal trail near a water source. These 'mouse-deer' prefer to stay under the protection of thickets, so placing your camera at the mouth of a 'game tunnel' through heavy brush is highly effective. Since they are strictly nocturnal, a camera with high-quality 'No-Glow' infrared flash is mandatory. Standard 'Low-Glow' LEDs may emit a faint red light that can spook these hypersensitive animals, causing them to avoid the area in the future.

If you are monitoring a backyard or garden area adjacent to forest land, you can encourage them to pause in front of your lens using fallen fruit. They are particularly fond of seasonal local fruits like wood-apple or even small pieces of fallen jackfruit. Scatter the fruit in a small, 2-foot diameter circle to keep the animal centered in your frame. Avoid using mineral licks or salt blocks, as these are less effective for chevrotains than fresh, fragrant fruit.

For camera settings, prioritize a fast trigger speed and use 'Burst Mode' or 'Photo + Video' mode. Chevrotains have very twitchy, rapid movements; they often stop, sniff the air, and dart away in a heartbeat. A 10-20 second video clip is the best way to observe their fascinating behavior, such as their delicate 'tiptoe' walking style or the way they use their long tongues to forage. Ensure your PIR sensitivity is set to 'High' to detect their small, low-mass bodies.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with White-spotted Chevrotain.

Indian Spotted Chevrotain

Found in India and Nepal; it has a less linear spot pattern and a generally larger, heavier build.

Yellow-striped Chevrotain

Also native to Sri Lanka but found in the wet zone; its markings are yellowish rather than bright white.

Frequently Asked Questions

White-spotted Chevrotain are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active under the cover of darkness between sunset and sunrise. You are most likely to capture them on camera between 8 PM and 3 AM, though they may occasionally forage during the quiet crepuscular hours of dawn.

If your backyard borders a forest in Sri Lanka, you can attract them by maintaining dense, natural vegetation and leaving fallen fruit on the ground. They are particularly attracted to quiet areas with low human and pet activity, and they appreciate easy access to water.

Their diet consists almost entirely of fallen forest fruits, seeds, and tender green shoots. They are selective foragers that act as important seed dispersers in their ecosystem, though they have been known to supplement their diet with small insects or crabs found on the forest floor.

They are rarely found in urban environments but are frequently seen in suburban gardens that sit on the edge of forests or tea plantations in Sri Lanka. They require a 'corridor' of thick vegetation to move safely, so they will only visit backyards that offer plenty of hiding spots.

The White-spotted Chevrotain (Moschiola meminna) is endemic to Sri Lanka. Compared to the Indian spotted chevrotain (M. indica), its white spots are more numerous and more clearly organized into distinct, horizontal lines or 'stripes' along the flanks.

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