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Tragulidae - chevrotains, mouse deer

chevrotainThere are four species in this family, and they are found in tropical forests in Asia and Africa. They live in dense vegetation and are very small. They are brown with white spots and stripes. They are primarily herbivores, but will sometimes eat invertebrates and small mammals. They have a four-chambered stomach. They have small heads and delicate legs. The males in this family do not have antlers or horns. The largest member of this family, the water chevrotain, is 1.5 to 2.5 feet in length and weighs 15.4 to 33 pounds. It is found in west and central Africa. It has a reddish-brown body with rows of white spots on its slightly arched back. It has a white stripe that runs from its shoulder to its rump and it has black and white bands on its face. Other species in this family include the Indian spotted chevrotain, the lesser mouse-deer, and the greater mouse-deer.