Sika deer (Cervus nippon)
Sika deer (Cervus nippon) - I took this photo in Hokkaido, Japan
Key data
Size: 70 - 110 cm
Weight: 30 - 90 Kg
Diet: Leaves, grasses, fruits, and bark
Season: All year round
Observation tip: Japan, Taiwan, Korea, China, USA, Europe
Photography tips:
Lens: 400 mm or greater
Difficulty level: easy
The Sika deer has a distinctive fur pattern consisting of dark spots on a reddish-brown or gray-brown background. The fur is denser and warmer in winter than in summer, when it is short and smooth. Compared to other deer species, the Sika deer has relatively short and straight antlers that can grow up to 70 cm long in adult males. Females do not have antlers.
Sika deer have a shoulder height of 70 to 110 cm and usually weigh between 30 and 90 kg. Males are typically larger and heavier than females. They live in forests and mountainous regions but can also be found near waterways and rivers. Their diet consists of leaves, grasses, fruits, and bark. They are known for their ability to move quickly and agilely, which helps them escape from predators.
They are native to East Asia and occur naturally in different parts of Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and China. They have also been introduced in other parts of the world, such as the USA and some European islands like Great Britain and Ireland, and live in the wild there. However, in some regions where Sika deer have been introduced, they have become invasive and can have negative impacts on local flora and fauna. In their natural habitat, Sika deer mainly live in forests and mountainous regions, but can also occur near waterways and rivers.
