Chinese Water Deer Hydropotes inermis

There are six species of wild deer in the British Isles. Chinese Water Deer Fallow Deer Muntjac Roe Deer Red Deer Sika Deer Teachers notes: There are six species of deer living freely in the British countryside. Each species has specific characteristics which make it well-suited for the variety of habitats found across the country and highly adaptable to environmental changes. A mixture of native and introduced species, they make a valuable contribution to Britain’s biodiversity and are some of our most engaging British mammals.

All About Chinese Water Deer Teachers notes: In its native country, the Chinese Water deer is classified in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red Data Book for endangered species. In fact, the population now living in Britain accounts for some 10% of the worldwide population.

All About Chinese Water Deer You have guessed it, we are not from around here. We were first kept at London Zoo in 1873 but escaped from Whipsnade Zoo in 1929. We have lived in small numbers in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk with a few scattered sightings elsewhere. Teachers notes: The Chinese water deer is a very primitive form of deer. This is indicated by its tusks which evolved prior to antlers as a form of defence. As the name implies the species originated in China and Korea. It was introduced to the British countryside following accidental and deliberate releases from 1890s onwards.

What do I look like? I’m a little different to most of the other deer. I am quite small and have no antlers. Teachers notes: Chinese water deer are a small species of deer that stand at around 0.50m to 0.55m tall at the shoulder. When fully grown they weigh between 11 to 18kg. Male and female deer are of similar size and weight. By comparison an average adult man in Britain is 1.77m high and weighs 79kg. Chinese water deer are a russet brown colour for most of the year, their coat turning a dull grey in winter. Chinese water deer lack any distinguishable markings at the rear. They have short tails.

What do I look like? The male (boy) is called a Buck. Unlike other British Deer the Buck has no antlers. He has tusks instead. Teachers notes: Chinese water deer do not have antlers but males (bucks) do have prominent ‘tusks’. These are used in a similar fashion to antlers for display and as weapons.

What do I look like? The female (girl) Chinese Water Deer, Doe, has smaller tusks than the male deer.

What do I look like? Please don’t call me the Dracula Deer! Please don’t call my tusks fangs! I am quite shy. My tusks become larger the older I get.

What do I look like? I am about the size of a Labrador. My rear legs are longer than my front legs so my bottom looks higher than my front.

What do I look like? I have large furry ears, button eyes, a thick coat and am said to look like a Teddy Bear. I don’t think so!!

Where do you think I like to live? My name is a bit of a clue. Teachers notes: Preferred habitats include reed beds, river shores, woodlands and fields making the wet fenlands of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk ideal.

Where do you think I like to live? We like to live in reed beds, river shores, woodlands and fields near wet fenlands. Teachers notes: Preferred habitats include reed beds, river shores, woodlands and fields making the wet fenlands of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk ideal. 

Lifestyle facts. I’m a grazer, I like eating grass, sedges and shoots. In Winter I am quite happy to eat carrots and potatoes. Teachers notes: They are selective feeders taking small morsels from nutritious plants, especially herbs, but may take woody browse, grasses, and sedges if food is limited. Locally they may browse the tops from root crops in winter when other food sources are in short supply, but they do not cause damage to trees.

Acknowledgements Thank you to everyone who assisted with this project, in particular: Suzie Moore, Education Development Officer, New Forest Centre George Trebinski, Wildlife Photographer and all other photographers The BDS Education Committee Dorothy Ireland, Charles Smith Jones, Sarah Stride, and John Johnson Contributors to the British Deer Society Image Library Anne Bellerby, Jo Mahler, Campbell McInnes, Simon Crook, Tony Charlton, Bob Holmes, Glyn Ingram  

www.bds.org.uk 01425 655434 Championing the future for British deer The Walled Garden, Burgate Manor, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 1EF