Sika deer were introduced to parks in the UK in 1860, but escapees have established themseleves in our countryside.

Life span
Up to 15 years.

Statistics
Shoulder height: 80-120cm, Weight: 40-60kg.

Physical description
Sika deer have a reddish brown coat, with white spots in summer. They have a short white tail and a white rump. The male has four-pointed antlers, which are shed in April or May.

Distribution
Sika deer are native to Asia, but they have been introduced to many parks in Europe. In the UK, there are large populations in Ireland and Scotland and there are patchy populations scattered across England.

Habitat
They inhabit woodland and heathland.

Diet
They mainly feed on grasses, sedges and heather, but a small portion of their diet is made up of bark and fungi.

Behaviour
Sika deer are most active at dusk and are solitary. During the mating season, males make a loud whistling call that can be heard from 1km away.

Reproduction
They mate between August and October. Females give birth to one young after an eight month gestation period. The young are independent after 7-10 months.

Conservation status
Sika deer are not listed by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Notes
Japanese people consider the sika to be sacred. It is hunted in China for its antlers, which are used in traditional medicine.