Post 801: October 19th, 2021. Male deer are often hunted for their antlers; Chinese water deer, on the other hand, don't have antlers - but tusks. . Sometimes called 'vampire deer', Chinese water deer are the only species of deer where males come without antlers - and instead have sharp, overgrown canine teeth. Their canines aren't just for looks either - males have been observed using them to defend their territories when need be. Though the deer only grow to be about 2 feet tall, their teeth can grow up to 2 inches in length - making them something not to be reckoned with. . Chinese water deer are native to the Korean peninsula and the Yangtze River valley - but with their numbers severely fragmented, their populations are declining. Land development, agriculture expansion, and poaching are also major threats to their survival. Estimating the total population is difficult due to many living within North Korea, but along the Yangtze River, it's estimated that less than 10,000 are left. . . Read more about Chinese water deer: https://www.britannica.com/animal/Chinese-water-deer ...Or read about their conservation status: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/10329/22163569 . Graphic shows a Chinese water deer. The factoid reads: "Chinese water deer are the only species of deer where males lack antlers and instead have tusks." . . #chinesewaterdeer #waterdeer #chinesedeer #interestinganimals #interestingplanet #animalfacts #animalart #pixelplanet #pixelplanettoday #pixelart #planetfacts