Gender specific behavioural patterns of captive alpine musk deer (Moschus sifanicus)

Alpine musk deer (Moschus sifanicus) have evolved behavioural characteristics which have contributed to their survival and proliferation in a unique environmental niche. Understanding these characteristics, specifically those relating to gender is vital in developing appropriate social and economic management systems for captive farming. This study compared the behavioural patterns of female and male captive musk deer to explore differences in gender. Thirty two adult captive musk deer, 19 males and 13 females, were observed from August 2002 to January 2003, at Xinglongshan Musk Deer Farm (XMDF) Gansu Province, China. The frequencies of 12 behavioural categories were recorded and compared between the two sexes. The results showed (1) that behavioural patterns were similar between female and male deer, (2) that female alpine musk deer can express male specific behaviour, such as tail-pasting and, (3) that gender differences in feeding and ruminating behaviour may be related to energy requirement and resource allocation patterns.