Why do Muntjacs show the white of their tail?

[daw]

When you disturb a Muntjac it will often lift it's tail to display the white underside when running away.

This makes it far easier for any predator to locate it. So why does it do this?

Is it to warn other Muntjac? Unlikely for a solitary animal.

Is it used as a decoy so any predator will strike the tail and not the body?

 

[sako85708]

Surely it's to warn others of danger, the same as Rabbits ??

 

[JMikeyH]

When you disturb a Muntjac it will often lift it's tail to display the white underside when running away.

This makes it far easier for any predator to locate it. So why does it do this?

Is it to warn other Muntjac? Unlikely for a solitary animal.

Is it used as a decoy so any predator will strike the tail and not the body?

The most compelling theory I've heard is nothing to do with warning others as a running, barking munjac does a far better job of that than a lifted tail.

The white patch is an easily observed detail on the animal and it is what we lock on to when following nthe animal. As it runs through cover, we will lose sight of the white patch and lose sight of the deer because that is what we were following

Heard this theory regarding some if the American species but the behaviour is the same in this regard so I believe it's relatable

 

[long_range_rob]

Same reason that they bark as they run, warning others that there’s danger about. I’m sure I’ll be corrected by someone though.

 

[The Singing Stalker]

I thought it was like giving someone the finger As they run away safe.

 

[john_little]

It’s a form of ridicule, lift the tail, show that a** and run off shouting ‘you can’t touch this!’

 

[norma 308]

A predator has far more difficulty attacking that bit of the body than the head or neck so the animal displays that part in flight

 

[willie_gunn]

Simple anti-gravity reflex, alarm warning to other deer nearby, letting predators know their intended prey has seen them and thus dissuading an attack?

The reality is we don’t know, and until we can “speak deer” it’s all guess-work.

 

[Pontfathew]

Isn't it to make life difficult for the predator to lock in on the deer if it's being chased? I.E. Big white flashing blob going up and down may make it hard for a wolf (or whatever natural predators they may have) to lock in on the little deer. I'm pretty sure this is the same reason rabbits have the white on their tails, to throw off chasing stoats and the like.

 

[BRYAN]

Perhaps it's to encourage pursuit to protect the youngster hidden in the undergrowth.

 

[Alantoo]

Perhaps it's to encourage pursuit to protect the youngster hidden in the undergrowth.

I thought it was along those lines...like the decoy trailing wing display of some birds

Alan

 

[willie_gunn]

It’s a nice idea, but bucks do it as well......and muntjac are polygamous.

 

[Firefly]

Known as ‘flagging’. It’s an alarm signal to other deer. Lots of species do the same.

 

[willie_gunn]

Known as ‘flagging’. It’s an alarm signal to other deer. Lots of species do the same.

Possibly, but that’s just one of several theories. Tail flagging occurs whether deer are alone or in groups.

Have a read of this: https://www.researchgate.net/profil...a-and-synthesis.pdf?origin=publication_detail or this: https://www.researchgate.net/profil...ite-Tailed-Deer.pdf?origin=publication_detail

 

[TomT3]

Perhaps it's to encourage pursuit to protect the youngster hidden in the undergrowth.

I agree with this -also I’m of the same thought -muntjac although classed as a solitary deer, the does are seldom alone either with a juvenile or if theres a pregnant doe quite possibly the previous kid may not be far behind and if she’s not pregnant a buck definley won’t be far behind!

 

[Alantoo]

Possibly, but that’s just one of several theories. Tail flagging occurs whether deer are alone or in groups.

Have a read of this: https://www.researchgate.net/profil...a-and-synthesis.pdf?origin=publication_detail or this: https://www.researchgate.net/profil...ite-Tailed-Deer.pdf?origin=publication_detail

Those studies do not seem to include for any altruistic motivation to lead the predator away from others...or did I skim read them too fast?

Alan

 

[Klenchblaize]

I thought it was to indicate what a c**p stalker the witness is!

K

 

[willie_gunn]

Those studies do not seem to include for any altruistic motivation to lead the predator away from others...or did I skim read them too fast?

Alan

It is included. For example Caro, Lombardo, Goldizen & Kelly look at whether flagging "behaviour warns offspring or other kin", but the same reaction was measured regardless of sex of the deer, and not just during the period when dependent young were present.

From my highly unscientific observation of muntjac I have seen it in bucks and does, and even does that turned out to be heavily pregnant showed the same reaction.

 

[Alantoo]

It is included. For example Caro, Lombardo, Goldizen & Kelly look at whether flagging "behaviour warns offspring or other kin", but the same reaction was measured regardless of sex of the deer, and not just during the period when dependent young were present.

From my highly unscientific observation of muntjac I have seen it in bucks and does, and even does that turned out to be heavily pregnant showed the same reaction.

Yes they mention warning to other family or herd members, but not the altruism....distracting the predator by drawing attention to themselves and away from others...

Alan

 

[willie_gunn]

Yes they mention warning to other family or herd members, but not the altruism....distracting the predator by drawing attention to themselves and away from others...

Alan

No, that particular aspect wasn't tested in that study, though it was identified in "Performer attracts predator's attention, which results in the predator chasing that individual."

However that hypothesis presumes that the tail flagging is primarily aimed at the predator, rather than other deer. After all, if you want the predator to chase you then you would be signalling it to follow you! The Smith study, however, concludes that the primary reason is to signal to conspecifics - deer flag to warn other deer - and that the impact of any predator signalling is secondary.

I'd come back again to my first observation, which is that we really don't know, and all we are doing is guessing (scientifically or otherwise).