Sika Deer

Statistics: Weight: 150-220 lbs.; Body length: 5 ½ feet; Shoulder height: just over 3 feet.

Description: There are 13 subspecies of sika. Although we call them “deer” they are a small Asian elk and bugle like our N. American wapiti. The Mandarin sika is one of the larger subspecies. Their summer pelage (coat) is a reddish brown with a dark dorsal stripe and many white spots (Bambi!). They also have a white rump patch and a dark belly. Winter pelage is dark gray with the spots barely visible. The winter coat is also longer and thicker. Females do not grow antlers. The antlers of the males are more divergent (four tines) than other sika subspecies.

Range/Habitat: The mandarin sika once roamed the same northern portions of Asia as the Amur (Siberian) tiger and was, historically, the tiger’s main prey. During the early part of this century the subspecies occurred in the wild only on the Imperial Hunting Grounds north of Tung Ling and in the Wei-ch’ang north of Jehol, both in Chihli Province in northern China. The species is thought to be extinct in the wild and has not been seen since 1912 outside of the San Diego Zoo, ZooMontana and Boise Zoo.

Adaptations: The dappled effect of their pelage makes them nearly invisible in their native woodlands. They have well-developed senses of sight, hearing and smell. They are able to jump almost 6 feet high and over 19 feet in length.

Courtship/Gestation/Birth: Males are solitary most of the year but establish territories during the summer and will collect a harem of as many as 12 females. Males become aggressive during rut (September-December) and duels with rivals are very violent. Injuries and fatalities often occur. Gestation is about 30 weeks and birth (often to a single calf but twins are possible) usually occurs from May through June. Both sexes become mature at 16-18 months.

Prey/Predator: Prey.

Diet: ZM-grass hay, alfalfa pellets, minerals and vitamins. Wild-a wide variety of plant life.

Status: Extinct in the wild. Numbers in captivity are few. Endangered.

Special Notes: Ten different vocalizations have been identified among sika deer. They whistle (different pitches), bleat, neigh and bugle. *These animals are now being called Northern Mainland Sika Deer as it is believed they may be hybrids of the larger northern sika species.