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chevrotain
chevrotain , name for four 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 ( Tragulus species) are found from India to Indonesia and the Philippines. Chevrotains are classified in the phylum Chordata , subphylum Vertebrata, class Mammalia, order Artiodactyla, family Tragulidae. |
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"chevrotain." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "chevrotain." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-chevrota.html "chevrotain." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-chevrota.html |
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chevrotain
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. |
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"chevrotain." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "chevrotain." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-chevrotain.html "chevrotain." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-chevrotain.html |
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chevrotain
chevrotain, -tin small musk deer, XVIII. — F. chevrotain, -tin, dim. of F. chevrot, dim. of chèvre goat :- L. capra, fem. of caper (see prec.).
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T. F. HOAD. "chevrotain." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "chevrotain." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-chevrotain.html T. F. HOAD. "chevrotain." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-chevrotain.html |
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chevrotain
chevrotain (Tragulus, Hyemoschus) See TRAGULIDAE.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "chevrotain." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "chevrotain." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-chevrotain.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "chevrotain." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-chevrotain.html |
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chevrotain
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
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"chevrotain." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "chevrotain." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-chevrotain.html "chevrotain." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-chevrotain.html |
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