 |
 |
|---|
|
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sika Deer Identification and key facts
Where |
Sika Deer in the New Forest are primarily a woodland species found
to the south of the railway line, east of Brockenhurst.
|
|---|---|
How many |
Around 150 Sika Deer are present. Together with red deer, Sika Deer are the least abundant of the commonly seen New Forest deer.
|
Herds |
Sika Deer hinds often gather in small herds throughout the year, and are sometimes joined by a small number of stags. |
Size |
Sika Deer are of medium size, 82-90 centimetres (32-35 inches) at the shoulder. Sika Deer stags are larger than hinds, and are compact, powerful-looking creatures, but without the red deers' bulk. Sika Deer hinds are altogether squatter, dumpier, more cuddly-looking, round-faced creatures. Sika Deer stags are sharper-faced, and appear to wear a perpetual frown. |
Coat |
In summer, Sika Deer have a chestnut red/brown coat with pale spots. In winter, Sika Deer hinds are grey/brown; stags dark grey, often almost black. Both sexes then unspotted. |
Rear end |
Sika Deer have a large, pale, heart-shaped caudal, rump patch, edged with black. Sika Deer have a thin, dark line down the primarily white tail. |
Antlers |
Sika Deer stags typically have long, fairly straight antlers with 4 points on each. |
Sounds |
Sika Deer have a year-round cough-like bark, and shrill, piping, high-pitched squeal. In the rut, Sika Deer stags use a similarly shrill, high-pitched whistling sound. |
 |
 |
Sika Deer - fully mature stag in winter coat |
Sika Deer - hind in winter coat |
|---|---|
 |
 |
Sika Deer - young stag in winter coat |
Sika Deer - hind in
summer coat |
References:
Deer Watch: Richard Prior
Fallow deer: Jochen Langbein and Norma Chapman
|
||||||
|
||||||
 |
Search this site |
|||||
|
Thank you for your comments about the web site - here's a small selection of those received:
|
Truly effective advertising starts here
with free of charge entries for bed and breakfast businesses, holiday cottage owners and hoteliers (Impressive Google rankings + High visitor numbers = Great deals for advertisers) |
|||
Web site design and development by New Forest Web Services |
|||
Copyright © 2007/2012 Andrew Walmsley All rights reserved |
|||