The Antler Cycle of Adult Reeves' Muntjac

Chapman D. I. & Chapman N. G., 198 ': The antler cycle of adult Reeves' muntjac. Acta theriol., 27, 8: 107—114 [With 2 Tables & 2 Figs.J The antler cycle of captive, adult Reeves' muntjac, Muntiacus reevesi Ogilby, 1839, of known age has been shown to be annual and seasonal at latitude 52°20'N. Casting of the antlers occurs in May and June and cleaning takes place from mid-August to mid-October, and appears to be irrespective of the deer's date of birth. The mean length of the annual antler cycle is 366 days with a range of 351—389 days. The two antlers are frequently cast and mature on the same day although they may be cast up to 12 days apart and cleaned up to 11 days apart. The mean length of the growing period was 106 days with a range of 79—130 days. No change was detected in either the time or duration of the antler-growing period with increasing age of the deer.