The mouse-deer is a small, rabbit-sized ungulate weighing between 5 to 8 kg (or ~30 stoats, #StoatsAsMeasurement). A rounded body perched on pencil-thin legs, male mouse-deer have neither horns nor antlers, but small, tusk-like canines #2025MMM
With a rounded body and thick, strong legs, the paca is a large forest rodent (6 -12 kg, or ~50 stoats). They have sleek chocolate-brown fur with several rows of white spots and broad cheekbones (Perez 1992) #2025MMM
Moonlight shimmers across the waters of the Brazilian Pantanal, and the Paca is at the opening of her den. She emits a low, grunt (Sabatini et al 2001) and waits for her young precocious pup to follow her out for a night of foraging. #2025MMM
On the edge of a different river in Sumatra, the Mouse-deer is moving through the dense underbrush at the edge of his territory. He stop and rubs his jaw along a nearby tree, marking it using the gland under his chin (Ralls et al 1975). #2025MMM
Satisfied with his efforts, Mouse-deer turns to continue his patrol of his territory, but instead finds himself staring at a hole and the face of an unfamiliar creature. He freezes, one of his front foot slightly raised. #2025MMM
Paca stares back at the intruding Mouse-deer. GRROOOANNN. A low grumble as Paca grinds her teeth loudly in agitation as the fur along her spine rises. #2025MMM
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#2025MMM
#2025MMM
#2025MMM
#2025MMM