Water chevrotain

The water chevrotain, colloquially known as the fanged deer, is a captivating creature native to tropical Africa. It is the largest among the ten species of chevrotains—small, deer-like animals that are only slightly larger than small dogs. Notably, female water chevrotains are larger than males, typically weighing around 2 kg more, with males averaging approximately 10 kg.

These animals boast a striking appearance with a reddish-brown coat on top, a white underside, and distinctive white stripes along their bodies. Their legs are short and slender compared to their more robust bodies, and their hooves bear a resemblance to those of pigs.

Water chevrotains inhabit the tropical regions of Africa, primarily along the coast from Sierra Leone to western Uganda. They prefer closed-canopy, moist, tropical lowland forests near streams or rivers and seldom venture farther than 250 meters from water sources. Being nocturnal, they forage at night for fruits such as figs, palm nuts, and breadfruit, as well as insects, crabs, and even scavenged meat and fish. They rely heavily on their sense of smell to locate food and spend their days hiding in dense forest cover.

Typically solitary, water chevrotains interact with others mainly during mating or territorial disputes. Males often engage in brief, aggressive encounters, charging, poking, and biting each other to defend their territory. They communicate through various sounds, including screams when injured, alarm barks, and specific noises during fights or courtship.

Although the water chevrotain is classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN Red List, with an estimated population of around 278,000, they face declines in some regions due to habitat loss and human activities. Their elusive nature and solitary habits make it challenging to gather precise population data for specific countries.