Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

OTHER NAMES: Spotted Deer, Japanese Deer

Latin Etymology: Cervus ("deer") nippon ("of Japan")

Adult Sika Deer (subspecies C. n. yesoensis) at Akkeshi, Japan - December 2014

Featured Subspecies: Ezo Deer - Cervus nippon yesoensis
Weight: 45-109kg  /  Length: 95-180cm
UK STATUS NOT EVALUTATED / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Sika Deer are the closest relation of the Red Deer and native to the Far East of Asia.  In addition to their close relationship, the Sika Deer in Japan has also benefited from the eradication of wolves in its native range, meaning that its population has exploded mostly unchecked except for humans.  The Sika deer has also been introduced into the UK in several places, and there are a number of feral populations present, some of which have been interbreeding with native red deer.

Related Species:
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Cervidae
Genus: Cervus
Subspecies: C. n. aplodontus, C. n. grassianus, C. n. keramae, C. n. kopschi, C. n. mandarinus, C. n. mantchuricus, C. n. nippon, C. n. pseudaxis, C. n. pulchellus, C. n. sichuanicus, C. n. soloensis, C. n. taioanus, C. n. yesoensis

 - Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - ニホンジカ  /  Nihonjika ("Japan Deer") 

Widespread resident

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Several seen from train near Akkeshi 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto