Cervus nippon nippon

(Temminck, 1838)

Vernacular names
English : South Japan sika deer
French : Cerf sika du Japon

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Cetartiodactyla
Family : Cervidae
Notes : Up to 15 other subspecies known. Their validity is questionned.

Identification
Body length of 190 cm, shoulder height of 115 cm, weight up to 140 kg. Males display big antlers and are bigger than females. Fur is dark brown to reddish brown with white spots all over flanks and back. Short snout, white rump.

Range and habitat
This subspecies as it is recognized now occurs only in central and south Japan, from Honshu southwards. The species also occurs in most of China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Vietnam. It lives in woodlands with dense undergrowth, nearby grasslands, up to 3000 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : This subspecies is abundant in the wild and has been introduced in Great Britain and Ireland. There is no conservation measures in place.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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