The Sri Lankan spotted chevrotain (Moschiola meminna), commonly known as the mouse-deer, is an enchanting, pint-sized mammal that holds a truly special place in the evolutionary tree. It is neither a true mouse nor a true deer, but a member of an ancient, primitive family of hoofed mammals that has remained virtually unchanged for over 30 million years.
An extraordinary fact about the mouse-deer is its unique physical defense weapons. Because they branch off early from true deer, adult males completely lack antlers. Instead, they have evolved elongated, razor-sharp upper canine teeth that project downward out of their upper jaw like miniature vampire fangs. Males use these sharp tusks to slash aggressively at rivals during territorial disputes. Furthermore, they are highly secretive and have a fascinating trick when fleeing predators: if chased near a riverbed, they can jump into the water and walk completely submerged along the bottom to hide from danger.