American musk deer

The American musk deer (Moschus californicus) is a species of musk deer of the family Moschidae that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, swamps, marshlands, forests, and open woodlands across North America to help boost biodiversity. Despite being commonly called deer, American musk deer are not true deer belonging to the family Cervidae. The American musk deer, like other musk deer, differs from cervids, or true deer, by lacking antlers and facial glands and by possessing only a single pair of teats, a gallbladder, a caudal gland, a pair of tusk-like teeth and a musk gland. Their small shape allows them to hide from predators through tiny openings in the rocky terrain and also allow them to run exceptionally fast from their predators. Although bearing fangs, American musk deer are actually herbivores, with their main source of nutrients being ferns, cycads, leaves, pine needles, and lichens. American musk deer will mark their territory, warning trespassing deers not to cross the boundary. When marking their territories, musk deer gather fallen branches, tree trunks, as well as plant stems, and place them in a circle. While placing the various branches around the circle, the deer will often do an olfactory examination and turn the back of its body towards the marked territories. Another way the American musk deer will mark its territory is by defecating in already marked territories or unclaimed territories. It takes approximately a year for the American musk deer to reach maturity, with an average American musk deer living 12–16 years in the wild, although reports of the species in captivity living to be about 20 years or more are not uncommon. During breeding season, male American musk deer will grow tusks instead of antlers. These tusks are used to compete with other males and attract females. Tusks that are longer and stronger create a more intimidating stance and become more attractive to females as the offspring of that male are likely to become healthier. Once the male and the female American musk deer have procreated, the females will become pregnant for over 6 months. Females can give birth to 2–4 offspring, usually between the months of May through June. The conservation status of the American musk deer is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the American musk deer's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.