Physical Description
The Sika deer is a rather elegant looking animal. They have strong solid bodies which are carried on long slender legs. The head is small and is carried by a short but bulky neck. The Sika deer is similar in stature to the Red Deer, but is slightly smaller in size. Males Sika Deer are commonly known as Stags, and the Females as hinds.
Males grow antlers for use in the autumn breeding season. Fully-grown males grow antlers which have a total of 8 tines. The antlers are usually a pale brown or even a white colour. The antlers are lost each spring, but new ones begin to grow immediately. Younger males may not grow a full complement of antlers until they reach maturity.
Habitat & Distribution
The preferred habitat of the Sika Deer is deciduous or mixed woodland, especially that which has a good under story of vegetation. This type of habitat provides it with a good variety of foods from which to feed on. However, they are also found in a number of other types of habitat. They will also inhabit areas of young coniferous woodland, especially where there are many open clearings and glades.
Originally the Sika deer was distributed in eastern Asia, being found in Vietnam, Japan, Taiwan, the Ussuri area Russia, and the Chinese province of Manchuria. The Japanese subspecies of Sika Deer were introduced in to Europe in the 19th Century as parkland deer, subsequently escaping and in some places forming wild herds. 5000 are thought to be wild in Europe, with a much greater number being found in parks. In Europe they are found in the countries of Britain, Ireland, Poland, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Austria and Russia. They are found only in scattered location in Europe, but in Asia they have a more widespread distribution. They have also been introduced into New Zealand and the USA.
