This family is part of a clade that includes Bovidae, and Cervidae, which is a sister group to Giraffidae, who are all clustered together with Ruminatia under the order Artiodactyla.

[8] The Alpine musk deer inhabits coniferous and deciduous forests in the mountain regions of western China, Tibet, Sichuan and Gansu at elevations of 3,000–5,000 m (9,800–16,400 ft).

[1][8] In Nepal, it occurs in Khaptad, Sagarmatha, Shey-Phoksundo, Langtang, Makalu Barun National Parks, Annapurna, Kanchenjunga Conservation Areas and Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve.

[11] The Alpine musk deer is a ruminant herbivore, foremost a browser and feeds mainly on forbs, grasses, moss, lichens, and shoots, leaves and twigs of shrubs.

Those with the highest rank have primary access to resources such as food, shelter, territory and reproductive rights.

Establishing a hierarchy among herd animals often results in physical injury or death for the individuals involved.

In cases of higher intensity of aggression, a resolution to the conflict is only reached when one deer shows ritual submission, dies or runs away as a form of displacement by the victor.

Due to illegal hunting and habitat loss, the Alpine musk deer has become an endangered species in China.

[7] Habitat destruction lead to reduction of hiding places and increased predation access to the musk deer.