The family Tragulidae, commonly known as mouse-deer or chevrotains, belongs to the order Artiodactyla, the even-toed ungulates. These small, shy, and nocturnal mammals are found primarily in Southeast Asia and parts of Africa. Tragulids have a compact, delicate body, short legs, and a pointed snout, and unlike most ruminants, they lack antlers and only the males have elongated canine teeth. They are herbivorous, feeding on leaves, fruits, and shoots, and typically inhabit dense forests where they can remain hidden from predators. As some of the most primitive living ruminants, chevrotains provide important insights into the early evolution of deer-like mammals.