Sika Deerニホンジカ

Cervus nipponLC— Least Concern

The sika deer is a medium-sized deer native to East Asia, from the Russian Far East to northern Vietnam, including Japan, and now widely introduced across Europe, North America, and Oceania. It is one of the few deer species to keep its white-spotted coat into adulthood and is remarkably vocal, with more than ten distinct calls. Though classified as Least Concern overall, some native populations—most famously the sacred deer of Nara—have been culturally protected for over a millennium.

Sika Deer (reference photo)
Photo: James P. Henley Jr. (DrHenley) / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Artiodactyla / Cervidae Source
Distribution
Native from the Russian Far East south to northern Vietnam, including Japan. Introduced populations are now established across Europe, North America, New Zealand, and Australia. Source

Did You Know?

  • Unlike most deer species, the sika deer is one of the few that retains its white spots into adulthood, visible in its summer coat. Source
  • Sika deer are highly vocal, producing more than 10 distinct calls ranging from soft whistles to loud screams, including a distinctive courtship call from rutting males. Source
  • The sika deer of Nara, Japan, are designated a national natural monument and have been protected for over a thousand years as sacred messengers of Kasuga Shrine. Source

Where to See This Species

9 facilities · 0 individuals

アドベンチャーワールド (Adobencha World)WakayamaOpened in 1978

アドベンチャーワールドのWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

宇都宮動物園 (Utsunomiya Doubutsuen)Tochigi東北自動車道 宇都宮ICから約5分、駐車場は乗用車1,000台分が無料。

宇都宮動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

岡崎市東公園動物園 (Okazakishihigashi Kouen Doubutsuen)Aichi東名高速「岡崎IC」から豊田方面へ約1km。

岡崎市東公園動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

五月山動物園 (Satsukiyama Doubutsuen)OsakaOpened in 1957

五月山動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

須坂市動物園 (Suzakashi Doubutsuen)Nagano上信越自動車道「須坂長野東IC」から国道403号経由、幸高町交差点右折→上八町交差点左折→臥竜橋を渡り左折で南口へ。

須坂市動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

盛岡市動物公園 (Moriokashi Doubutsu Kouen)IwateOpened in 1989

盛岡市動物公園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

長野市茶臼山動物園 (Naganoshichausuyama Doubutsuen)NaganoJR篠ノ井駅が最寄り駅。

長野市茶臼山動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

飯田市立動物園 (Iida Shiritsu Doubutsuen)Nagano

飯田市立動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

富山市ファミリーパーク (Toyamashifamiri Park)ToyamaOpened in 1984

富山市ファミリーパークのWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Latest news

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Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNではLC。地域個体群では生息環境との調整が課題となる。

Habitat

日本列島の森林、草地、海岸部など。

Threats

  • 生息地の分断
  • 地域個体群の減少
  • 交通事故

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

  • 生息地の保全
  • 地域個体群の調査
  • 飼育下での繁殖と教育展示

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

Do sika deer keep their spots as adults?
Yes, unlike most deer species that lose their spots at maturity, sika deer retain white spotting in their summer coat throughout adulthood. Source
Why are the deer in Nara, Japan special?
Nara's sika deer are designated a national natural monument and have been protected for more than 1,000 years as sacred messengers of Kasuga Shrine, and they roam freely as a famous tourist attraction. Source
How vocal are sika deer?
They are highly vocal, with more than 10 distinct calls ranging from soft whistles to loud screams, including a distinctive courtship call given by males during the autumn rut. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org