Maya's Magic - Monsoon Beauty 24 (& more) Highlights

🌧️ Monsoon Beauty Highlights India's Biodiversity 🌧️

Northern Red Muntjac Muntiacus vaginalis

Family: Cervidae (Deer)
Sub-family: Cervinae (Old World Deer)
Tribe : Muntiacini (Muntjacs and Tufted Deer )
genus & Species: Muntiacus vaginalis (Northern Red Muntjac)

Common Name in Uttarakhand : Kankad कांकड

Meet the Northern Red Muntjac, a charismatic critter found in central and southeast Asia. These little beings are often called "barking deer" due to their uncanny ability to mimic a dog's bark when they’re feeling threatened — sometimes for up to an hour and actually even longer! And if their bark isn't enough to raise an eyebrow, their scent glands, which look like bizarre facial teardrop piercings, have earned them the nickname "alien deer". The term "muntjac" is derived from the Sudanese word "mencek," meaning "small deer," which feels quite fitting for this mini extraterrestrial.

Despite being classified as a species of "least concern" by the IUCN, these deer aren't out of the woods yet—literally. Habitat degradation and hunting for their meat and body parts continue to pose threats to their populations. So, while they may look like they stepped out of a sci-fi film, they still need our help to ensure they stay in the real world.

Observed by @maya318
Location : Matyau karak Ghar, Almora, UT, IN
Observed on: 20 Jul, 2024
Maya Lodhiyal is Instagram as nature_lover_maya

About Maya

Living in a quiet mountain village in Nainital District, Uttarakhand, Maya has been a part of India's Nature - A Citizen Science Collective since 2019. Juggling the roles of budding natural historian, college student, and middle & long-distance running enthusiast, she strives to excel in her studies, athletic pursuits and as a natural historian - all the while staying active in her community.

Her daily routine includes helping on the family farm, training for sports, and a 10-kilometer round-trip walk to college through forests, farmland, and scrub, providing ample opportunities for nature observation and biodiversity documentation. Through India's Nature events and her short internship in APU's Mountains of Life 2024 programme, Maya has sharpened her skills in wildlife observation, with a special focus on woodpeckers. Notably, she has documented rare sightings, such as a Greater Yellownape woodpecker hunting and eating a bat, showcasing her ability to capture insightful bird behaviour.

Maya actively shares her knowledge with her peers and the wider community through captivating photos and engaging stories. Her aim is to highlight the essential role woodpeckers play in ecosystems and inspire others to appreciate and protect nature.

Supported by India's Nature, Maya's family has come to embrace her passion for nature exploration. Accompanied by her energetic sister and close friends, when opportunities present she leads nature walks and organizes local events, fostering a deeper connection between people and their natural surroundings.

In Sanskrit Maya means Illusion or magic - See s some of Maya's Magical Observations on iNaturalist