White-bellied musk deer

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

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Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/white-bellied-musk-deer

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How big is White-bellied musk deer?Shoulder height: 50-75 cm (20-30 inches); Weight: 9-18 kg (20-40 pounds)
2. What is the scientific name?Moschus leucogaster
3. What is the lifespan?Estimated 8-10 years in the wild
4. What does a white-bellied musk deer look like?It has a white belly that blends with snow and rocks, thick fur to keep warm, and a compact body that helps it move through steep, rocky terrain.
5. Why does the male musk deer have a special gland?The gland releases a strong, waxy scent called musk that helps the male attract mates and warn other deer where it is.

Pheromone: A chemical substance released by an animal that affects the behavior or physiology of others of the same species.
Obligate Herbivore: An animal that must eat plants to survive; its digestive system is specialized for plant matter.
Habitat Fragmentation: The process by which large, continuous habitats are broken down into smaller, isolated patches.
Taxonomy: The scientific classification of organisms into hierarchical groups based on shared characteristics.