Where does the sika deer live?
The sika deer is native to much of East Asia and has been introduced to other parts of the world. It was previously found from northern Vietnam in the south to the Russian Far East in the north. It is particularly common on the Japanese archipelago, notably in Nara, where it has become an important part of tourism. In the 19th century it was overhunted to the brink of extinction.
What does the sika deer eat?
Protection laws were enacted in the mid-20th century, leading to a rapid recovery of the population from the 1950s to the 1980s. It is one of the few deer species that does not lose its spots on reaching maturity. The mainland subspecies have larger, more obvious spots, whereas the Taiwanese and Japanese subspecies have spots that are nearly invisible. Lifestyles vary: some live alone, while others are found in single-sex groups.
Is the sika deer endangered?
No: the IUCN lists it as Least Concern. It stands 50 to 110 cm at the shoulder and is 95 to 180 cm long, depending on the subspecies, with a tail of about 7.5 to 13 cm. The largest subspecies is the Manchurian sika deer. Its coat ranges from mahogany to black.
