What type of environment does the Chinese water deer prefer over dense forest or open grassland?
Answer
Marshy environments like swamps and reed beds.
The common name, 'water deer,' directly reflects the ecological niche this species favors. Unlike many other members of the deer family that are adapted to dense woodland or expansive open grasslands, *Hydropotes inermis* thrives specifically in damp, marshy settings. Their preferred habitats include swamps, areas characterized by dense reed beds, and regions dominated by tall grasses. This affinity for thick, water-retaining cover suggests that concealment within this dense vegetation is a primary strategy for survival and evasion, particularly in their native ranges in China and Taiwan, and established feral populations like those in the UK fens.
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