Sika Deers - Description
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Picture source:
Wild Deer Ireland
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Sika deer are compact, medium-sized, with a small head. The tail is medium long; the antlers are 28-48 cm in length and have 8-10 endings. Sikas shed the old antlers and immediately start growing the new. Females have a pair of black bumps on the forehead. Sika deer molt twice a year. Sika deer are highly vocal; they can produce more than 10 different sounds.
Size: 80-110 cm shoulder height for males and about 80 cm for females.
Weight: 45-100 kg for males and 45-50 for females.
Life Span: 10-15 years in the wild, up to 25 in captivity.
Sika Deers - Colors
Sika deer are drab brown or mahogany brown with white spots, though some deer may have no spots. The head is lighter than the body. The rump patch is white; it is better seen when the deer is alerted. Sika Deers - Life Cycle
Sika deer are gregarious animals, living in herds. They can be diurnal and nocturnal, i.e. foraging in the daytime and at night. Sikas are very hardy; they can survive winter without additional feeding. The rut of the Sikas is in November and December. (Some species have the rut in September and October.) The period of gestation is 7.5-8 months, so in July or in August one fawn is born. Twins are rare. The lactation period is about 10 months. The milk of Sika deer is very fatty (13-30%).
Sika Deers - General Information Links
Animal Diversity - Presents information on physical characteristics and natural history of Sika deer.
Britain Deer - Gives general information on all species of British deer.
British Wildlife Guide: Sika Deer - Brief article in encyclopedia.
Cervus Nippon - Gives classification and brief information on Sika deer.
Chinese Deer - Brief information on the conservation and habitat of Sika deer.
Deer in the UK - Presents info about deer management, hybridization, vocalization, etc.
Irish Deer Society - A survey on ecology of deer living in Ireland.
Lincolnshire Deer Group - Tells about deer's damage on the roads, fields and gardens, teaches to identificate deer, gives many links to deer societies.
Monster Stag - The genetic debate on the Sikas problem.
Naturfoto - Offers many photos of Sika deer.
Red-Sika Hybridisation - Position statement on proposals to protect red deer from hybridisation with sika deer.
Roosevelt Park Zoo - Gives basic knowledge about Sika deer.
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Picture source:
Zoomontana org
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Sika Deer at Garlin Zoo - Overview of the Sika Deer.
Sika Deer Conservation - PDF file contains information on this endangered species.
Sika Deer In Brief - Brief information on the species.
Sika Deer Profile - Information on the species and its subspecies.
Sika Deer. Cervus Nippon - Many photos of Sika deer available.
Sika of New Zealand - Information on habitat, description, colors and behavior of Sika deer.
UK Deer - Tells about distinguishing features of Sika deer.
Woodnet UK - Brief information on all deer species.
