Vertebrate Zoology

The Columbia Encyclopedia,... The Oxford Pocket Dictionary... The Concise Oxford... A Dictionary of Zoology Further reading

chevrotain

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

chevrotain , name for several species of small, ruminant mammals of Africa and SE Asia. Although they are also called mouse deer, chevrotains are not closely related to true deer , and are classified in a family of their own.

The smallest of the hoofed mammals, they stand 8 to 14 in. (20–66 cm) high at the shoulder, depending on the species. The body is rabbitlike, with an arched back; the legs are very slender and end in small feet; the snout is tapered and somewhat piglike. Their small size makes them easy and important prey for snakes, crocodiles, eagles, and forest-dwelling cats. The reddish-brown coat is spotted with white in most species. Chevrotains lack antlers but have tusklike upper canine teeth, used by the males for fighting. The upper incisors are lacking.

Solitary, nocturnal animals of thick forests, chevrotains browse on leaves, twigs, and fruit. They sometimes rest in the branches of low trees. The water chevrotain ( Hyemoschus aquaticus ) of Africa is always found near water and takes to the water when pursued. The other chevrotains ( Moschiola and Tragulus species) are found from India to Indonesia and the Philippines, and some also can swim underwater. Chevrotains are classified in the phylum Chordata , subphylum Vertebrata, class Mammalia, order Artiodactyla, family Tragulidae.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"chevrotain." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"chevrotain." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-chevrota.html

"chevrotain." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-chevrota.html

Learn more about citation styles

chevrotain

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

chev·ro·tain / ˈshevrəˌtān/ • n. a small deerlike mammal (genera Moschiola and Hyemoschus, family Tragulidae) with short tusks, typically nocturnal and found in the tropical rain forests of Africa and South Asia.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"chevrotain." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"chevrotain." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-chevrotain.html

"chevrotain." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-chevrotain.html

Learn more about citation styles

chevrotain

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

chevrotain, -tin small musk deer, XVIII. — F. chevrotain, -tin, dim. of F. chevrot, dim. of chèvre goat :- L. capra, fem. of caper (see prec.).

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

T. F. HOAD. "chevrotain." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "chevrotain." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-chevrotain.html

T. F. HOAD. "chevrotain." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-chevrotain.html

Learn more about citation styles

chevrotain

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

chevrotain (Tragulus, Hyemoschus) See TRAGULIDAE.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

MICHAEL ALLABY. "chevrotain." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "chevrotain." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-chevrotain.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "chevrotain." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-chevrotain.html

Learn more about citation styles

chevrotain

Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes | 2007 | Copyright

chevrotain •airplane, terreplein •sailplane, tailplane •mainplane •seaplane, ski-plane •chilblain •biplane, triplane •warplane • towplane • Tamerlane •monoplane • aeroplane • gyroplane •hydroplane • châtelaine • aquaplane •balletomane • Moulmein •Charlemagne • frangipane • propane •windowpane • counterpane •membrane • checkrein • lamebrain •migraine • ingrain • quatrain •grosgrain • wholegrain • scatterbrain •suzerain • birdbrain • sixain •elastane • Beltane • Aquitaine •octane •Fonteyn, montane •Holstein • Bloemfontein • butane •bloodstain • chevrotain •ethane, methane •polyurethane • Alfvén • paravane •weathervane • vervain • Gawain

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"chevrotain." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"chevrotain." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-chevrotain.html

"chevrotain." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-chevrotain.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Television: Cannibals nearly ate me for lunch; Nick's adventures get more... Newspaper article from: Sunday Mail (Glasgow, Scotland); 6/8/2003
	Found, the living legends of Africa; Briton's eight-year trek to film the... Newspaper article from: Daily Mail (London); 7/15/1996
	ONE TO WATCH; Survival Special (ITV, 8pm).(Features) Newspaper article from: The Mirror (London, England); 7/24/1996