The Chinese water deer has established itself mainly across south-eastern Britain. Its strongholds are in west Bedfordshire, the Cambridgeshire fens and the Norfolk Broads, but the distribution is discontinuous.
Chinese water deer, (Hydropotes inermis), very small Asian deer of the family Cervidae (order Artiodactyla), native to fertile river bottoms in Korea and the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) valley in China.
How did Chinese water deer get to UK?
They were first introduced to the UK in 1873, where they were kept within zoos. . They were released into parks from 1896 onwards and were first recorded in the wild in Buckinghamshire in 1944.
Is muntjac a Chinese water deer?
Muntjac deer (Muntiacus reevesi) Male has short single spike antlers pointing backwards, non-existent in chinese water deer. Males also have ‘tusks’ (upper canine teeth) protruding about 2cm below lip. These are much smaller than the chinese water deer’s tusks, which reach around 7cm below the lip.
Are Chinese water deer dangerous?
The males, or bucks, use their tusks to fight off other bucks for potential mates and to protect themselves against predators. Unlike antlered deers, fighting between tusked Chinese water deer rarely results in a fight to the death, and instead, their sharp fangs cause serious injuries.
Where did muntjac deer originate?
Called barking deer because of their cry, muntjacs are solitary and nocturnal, and they usually live in areas of thick vegetation. They are native to India, Southeast Asia, and southern China, and some have become established in parts of England and France.
Where are Chinese water deer found?
The Chinese water deer is found in the lower Yangtze Basin of east-central China and in Korea. The species was also introduced and became wild in England and France (Butzler, 1990; Allen, 1940).
Are muntjac deer native to the UK?
Muntjac are not native to Britain. They originate from China but were introduced to Woburn Park in Bedfordshire in 1838. After escapes and deliberate movement of the deer by humans they have now spread over southern England and are increasing in number.
How many Chinese water deer are left?
10,000
How many Chinese water deer are in the UK?
The current population of Chinese water deer at Whipsnade is currently estimated to be more than 600, while the population at Woburn is probably more than 250. The majority of the current population of Chinese water deer in Britain derives from escapees, with the remainder being descended from many deliberate releases.
Why do Chinese water deer have fangs?
The males, or bucks, use their tusks to fight off other bucks for potential mates and to protect themselves against predators. Unlike antlered deers, fighting between tusked Chinese water deer rarely results in a fight to the death, and instead, their sharp fangs cause serious injuries.
Are Chinese water deer endangered?
In the wild, the Chinese water deer is heavily hunted. Although it is not classified as an endangered species, there recently were estimated to be only 10,000 individuals remaining in the wild in China (Butzler, 1990). IUCN — Rare.
Are water deer an endangered species?
The Chinese Water Deer (Hydropotes inermis) is listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as Vulnerable (at high risk of endangerment in the wild). This species is also listed on the Chinese Red List as Vulnerable and on China Key List II.
What kind of deer live in China?
Chinese water deer
What do Chinese water deer eat?
The diet of the Chinese water deer includes reeds, coarse grasses, vegetables, and beets. The Chinese water deer has a four chambered stomach, but the rumen pillars are poorly developed. Because of this the deer cannot digest the carbohydrates from plant material very efficiently.
Are water deer carnivores?
Are water deer carnivores? No. Water deer have no interest in meat. They’re solid herbivores.
Why do Muntjacs bark?
Female muntjacs (does) often call to attract males (bucks) when they are in season. . They often stand in one place for some time barking repeatedly. Muntjacs also make a similar barking call when they sense danger.
Last Review : 8 days ago.
Don’t forget to share this post !
References