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==Appearance and Biology==
Mouse-deer posses a triangular-shaped head, arched back, and round body with elevated rear quarters. The thin, short legs which support the mouse-deer are about the diameter of a pencil. Although Java mouse-deer do not posses antlers or horns like regular deer, male Java mouse-deer have elongated, tusk-like upper canines which protrude downward from the upper jaw along the sides of their mouth. Males use these “tusks” to defend themselves and their mates against rivals (8). Females can be distinguished from males because they lack these prominent canines, and they are slightly smaller than the males (5). The average size of a Java mouse-deer ranges from 1-2 kg, with females falling on the smaller end of this spectrum. Java mouse-deer can furthermore be distinguished by their lack of upper incisors. The coat coloration of the Java mouse-deer is reddish-brown with a white underside. Pale white spots or vertical markings are also present on the animal’s neck (5).
The height of the Java mouse-deer is 30 centimeters (12 inches) on average. With average lengths of 45 centimeters (18 inches) and an average tail length of 5 centimeters (2 inches), the Java mouse-deer is the smallest extant [[artiodactyl]] (even-toe hoofed mammal) (5). Java mouse-deer are [[endothermic]] and [[homoeothermic]], with an average basal metabolic rate of 4.883 W (5). Tragulus javanicus also possess the smallest [[erythrocytes]] of the mammalian species, and their erythrocytes are unique in that 12.8% of their erythrocytes have pits in them (9). Pitted erythrocytes are unique and have never been seen before physiologically or pathologically. Java mouse-deer are also considered the most primitive [[ruminants]], thus they provide the living link between non-ruminants and ruminant species (10).
==Ecology==
===Geographic Range===
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