Musk deer

Musk deer

　　 Also known as the "fragrant musk deer." A rare animal. Primarily found in the mountainous regions of southern and western Hunan, especially abundant on Shunhuang Mountain in Xinning. Its fur is dark brown mixed with orange-red, the belly is yellowish-white, and the back features two prominent white longitudinal stripes or oval spots. It has a small body, measuring 65–95 cm in length and weighing 8–13 kg. Its teeth protrude slightly beyond the lips and curve downward, and there is a musk gland sac in the groin area that secretes a waxy, granular substance. This substance is not only fragrant, containing aromatic compounds such as muscone, making it a premium ingredient for high-end perfumes, but also has medicinal properties including calming, strengthening the heart, clearing orifices, dispelling impurities, unblocking meridians, and dispersing blood stasis. It serves as an important raw material for valuable traditional Chinese medicines.