The tufted deer gets its name from the tuft of hair seen on the top of its head. In captivity, tufted deer can live for up to 15 years. There are estimated to be about 10,000 tufted deer in China. The tufted deer is a crepuscular animal, most active at dawn and dusk. When fleeing the tufted deer holds its tail up revealing the white underside, much like the white-tailed deer. The tail flops down with ever cat-like bounce, making the deer's progress difficult to follow. Tufted deer are territorial, and rarely leave their home range, which is criss-crossed by a network of trails. Both sexes will bark when alarmed.