Conservation Status
T. n. nigricans is classified as endangered by the IUCN (1996), otherwise this species is fairly common, although potentially threatened by habitat loss.
Remarks
The chevrotains are considered to be the evolutionary link between non-ruminating ungulates, like pigs and hippos, and ruminating artiodactyls, like deer, antelope, and cattle. The name "mouse deer" refers to its extremely small size (although it is not a true deer), while the seemingly oxymoronic 'larger' is in reference to its size when compared to its smaller cousin. Tragos (Greek) a goat; -ulus (Latin) diminutive suffix. Napu is a native name for the mouse deer, or chevrotain, in Sumatra.
Literature Cited