Damans

Damans, also called daman, is a common name for the chevrotains, small primitive ungulates in the family Tragulidae. The term is used most often for the Asian mouse deer of the genus Tragulus, though African chevrotains of the genus Hyemoschus are related. Damans are among the smallest living ungulates, with slender bodies, short tails, and a secretive, forest-dwelling lifestyle. Males typically have elongated canine tusks, used in threat displays, while females generally lack tusks. They do not have true antlers or horns.

Damans are secretive and mainly solitary, though some species form loose pairs during the breeding season. They are predominantly crepuscular or nocturnal and rely on dense vegetation for cover. Their diet consists of leaves, shoots, fruits, and seeds, and they often feed by browsing rather than grazing.

Geographically, damans inhabit tropical forests, mangroves, swamps, and dense brush across South and Southeast Asia and into parts of Africa (in the African chevrotains). They prefer humid environments with abundant understory. Reproduction is relatively slow; gestation lasts several months, typically yielding one young, which is kept hidden for several weeks after birth.

Conservation status varies by species but many daman populations are threatened by habitat loss, hunting, and fragmentation. Several species are listed by the IUCN as vulnerable or endangered, and protection of forests and strategic reserves is important for their persistence.