[2] It is a close relative of the muntjac, living somewhat further north over a wide area of central China and northeastern Myanmar.

The coat is coarse with short and stiff hairs, being almost black in the winter and chocolate brown in the summer.

A tuft of horseshoe-shaped hair is present on the forehead and upper neck, being brown to black, and can be up to 17 centimetres (6.7 in) long.

[1] The tufted deer inhabits high, damp forests at 500–4,500 metres (1,600–14,800 ft) above sea level, close to the tree line.

[6] The mating season occurs between September and December, during which the loud barks males make could be easily heard.

The gestation period lasts about 6 months and a litter of 1–2 is born in late spring and early summer.

The hide of this deer is a fairly high-end textile material, especially after the vigorous conservation efforts made on other more endangered species.

[1] The tufted deer is part of the yellow species survival plan program by the association of zoos and aquariums, because it cannot maintain 90% gene diversity for 10 generations.

To prevent gene diversity to continue dropping, the program plans to work on ex situ[8] populations by increasing the number of exhibit places in zoos and making sure that animals can breed.